Question
If steel is more dense than lake water, why can a boat float?
The average density of the boat, including the steel and air, is less dense than 1.00 g/cm³.
The average density of the boat, including the steel and air, is more dense than 1.00 g/cm³.
Lake water is more dense than pure water.
Steel has a special ability to float regardless of density.
The average density of the boat, including the steel and air, is less dense than 1.00 g/cm³.
The average density of the boat, including the steel and air, is more dense than 1.00 g/cm³.
Lake water is more dense than pure water.
Steel has a special ability to float regardless of density.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The reason a boat made of steel can float, despite steel being denser than water, is that the average density of the boat (including the steel and the air inside it) is less than that of the water.
When an object is placed in water, it will float if its average density is less than that of the water. In the case of a boat, although the steel is denser than water, the presence of air inside the boat greatly reduces its overall density. This means that the boat's average density is less than 1.00 g/cm³, allowing it to float.
So, the correct answer is:
**The average density of the boat, including the steel and air, is less dense than 1.00 g/cm³.**
When an object is placed in water, it will float if its average density is less than that of the water. In the case of a boat, although the steel is denser than water, the presence of air inside the boat greatly reduces its overall density. This means that the boat's average density is less than 1.00 g/cm³, allowing it to float.
So, the correct answer is:
**The average density of the boat, including the steel and air, is less dense than 1.00 g/cm³.**