You are playing a game called "Will It Float?" In this game, you are given a large, square can of tuna. If you know the density of water, what is the minimal information you need to decide if the tuna will float in the water?

Question

A.
the mass of the can of tuna
B.
the mass and the volume of the can of tuna
C.
the volume of the can of tuna
D.
the volume of water displaced by the can of tuna

Answer 1

To determine if the tuna will float in water, you need to compare the density of the tuna with the density of water. The basic principle is that an object will float if its density is less than that of the fluid it is placed in (in this case, water).

Density is defined as mass divided by volume (\( \text{Density} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}} \)).

So, to assess whether the tuna can float:

1. You need to know the mass of the can of tuna.
2. You need to know the volume of the can of tuna.

From this information, you can calculate the density of the can of tuna (by dividing the mass by the volume) and then compare it to the density of water (which is approximately 1 g/cm³ at room temperature).

From the options given:

• A (the mass of the can of tuna) alone is not sufficient because you cannot calculate the density without the volume.
• B (the mass and the volume of the can of tuna) is indeed sufficient because you can calculate the density and make the comparison.
• C (the volume of the can of tuna) alone is also not sufficient because you cannot determine the density without the mass.
• D (the volume of water displaced by the can of tuna) relates to buoyancy but does not directly provide information about the density of the tuna itself.

Therefore, the minimal information needed to decide if the tuna will float in the water is:

B. the mass and the volume of the can of tuna.