Question 7 (1 point)

Question

Two samples of water are prepared, one with red food coloring and one with blue. When carefully combined, the red-colored water is able to float on top of the blue-colored water. Which statement best explains this result?

a
The blue-colored water is hotter and more dense.
b
The red-colored water is hotter and less dense.
c
The red-colored water is cooler and more dense.
d
The blue-colored water is cooler and less dense.

Answer 1

b
The red-colored water is hotter and less dense.

When water is heated, it expands, thus its density decreases. This means that warmer water is typically less dense than cooler water. If the red-colored water is floating on top of the blue-colored water, it's likely because it is hotter and therefore less dense, allowing it to float above the denser, cooler blue-colored water.