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?

Question

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

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

a) The red-colored water is hotter and less dense.

When water is heated, it becomes less dense, allowing it to float on top of colder, denser water. In this case, the red-colored water is likely less dense than the blue-colored water, causing it to float.