During an experiment, it is observed that iron powder sinks in water and sulfur powder floats in water. What will most likely be observed when sulfur powder and iron powder are mixed together and then added to water?

Question

Sulfur will float and iron will sink because each will retain its properties.
Iron will float and sulfur will sink because each will lose its properties.
Both will float because they are physically mixed.
Both will float because they react chemically.

Answer 1

When sulfur powder and iron powder are mixed together and then added to water, the most likely observation is that sulfur will float and iron will sink because each will retain its properties.

Iron powder is denser than water, so it will sink, while sulfur powder is less dense than water and will float. Since there is no chemical reaction occurring between iron and sulfur under these conditions, they will maintain their individual properties when mixed.