The density of water is approximately 1 g/cm3 . An ice block with a height of 2 cm, length of 2 cm, width of 5 cm, and mass of 18.4 g is dropped in water. Will it float or sink? In 3–5 sentences, show your calculations and explain how you arrived at your conclusion.(4 points)

1 answer

To determine whether the ice block will float or sink, we first need to calculate its volume and density. The volume of the ice block can be calculated using the formula for volume:

\[ \text{Volume} = \text{Height} \times \text{Length} \times \text{Width} = 2, \text{cm} \times 2, \text{cm} \times 5, \text{cm} = 20, \text{cm}^3. \]

Next, we calculate the density of the ice block by dividing its mass by its volume:

\[ \text{Density} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}} = \frac{18.4, \text{g}}{20, \text{cm}^3} = 0.92, \text{g/cm}^3. \]

Since the density of the ice block (0.92 g/cm³) is less than the density of water (1 g/cm³), the ice will float in water. Objects with a density lower than that of the fluid they are placed in typically float.