The image shows two objects placed in different bowls containing the same type of liquid.





If each object displaces the same volume of liquid, then which of the following could be true?

(1 point)
Responses

Object 1 has a mass of 550 g, and Object 2 has a mass of 550 g.
Object 1 has a mass of 550 g, and Object 2 has a mass of 550 g.

Object 1 has a mass of 200 g, and Object 2 has a mass of 200 g.
Object 1 has a mass of 200 g, and Object 2 has a mass of 200 g.

Object 1 has a mass of 150 g, and Object 2 has a mass of 450 g.
Object 1 has a mass of 150 g, and Object 2 has a mass of 450 g.

Object 1 has a mass of 450 g, and Object 2 has a mass of 150 g.
Object 1 has a mass of 450 g, and Object 2 has a mass of 150 g.

1 answer

To determine which of the statements could be true, we need to consider the principles of displacement and density. When two objects displace the same volume of liquid, their densities play a major role in how they interact with that liquid.

  1. If both objects displace the same volume of liquid but have different masses, the object with the greater mass must have a greater density than the liquid (if it sinks), while the object with the lesser mass must have a density less than or equal to that of the liquid (if it floats).

Considering the pairs presented:

  • Option 1: Object 1 has a mass of 550 g, and Object 2 has a mass of 550 g.

    • Both have the same mass and would similarly displace the same volume of liquid. This option is logically consistent.
  • Option 2: Object 1 has a mass of 200 g, and Object 2 has a mass of 200 g.

    • Same logic as option 1 applies. Both objects displace the same volume of liquid, and if they have the same mass, they will behave similarly in the liquid.
  • Option 3: Object 1 has a mass of 150 g, and Object 2 has a mass of 450 g.

    • In this case, if both objects displace the same volume of liquid, the 450 g object likely has a higher density compared to the 150 g object. This scenario is plausible as well, assuming the necessary conditions regarding their densities are met.
  • Option 4: Object 1 has a mass of 450 g, and Object 2 has a mass of 150 g.

    • Similar reasoning as option 3 applies, but it suggests the reverse: the 450 g object may sink while the 150 g one floats. This is also a possible situation.

Given this analysis, Options 1, 2, 3, and 4 could all potentially be true based on their masses and the liquid's density. However, the key distinction might be whether they sink or float, which depends on the density relationships.

So, we can conclude that all statements could be true under specific scenarios.