CAIE IGCSE Physics Floating from Density Data

Practise calculating or comparing average density to predict whether objects float, sink or rest between liquid layers, including loads and combined objects.

Exam points

calculate object density and compare it with the liquid: lower floats and higher sinks
place an object between immiscible layers by bounding its density between the two liquids
use total mass and external volume for hollow, leaking or combined objects before predicting motion

[Maximum number: 1]

All the sides of a plastic cube are 8.0 cm long. Fig. 3.1 shows the cube.

Fig. 3.1 (not to scale)

The mass of the cube is 0.44 kg .

The density of one type of oil is $850 \mathrm{~kg} / \mathrm{m}^{3}$ .

State and explain whether the cube floats or sinks when placed in a container of this oil.

All question bank results loaded

1.4.3—Whether an object floats based on question 1