If a metal block's density is greater than water's density, what happens?

If a metal block's density is greater than water's density, what happens?

• A. Sinks
• B. Floats
• C. Suspends
• D. Dissolves

Answer: (A)

In water, how an object behaves depends on its density relative to the water. The buoyant force from water equals the weight of the water the object displaces. If the block is denser than water, its weight per volume is greater than the upward buoyant force, so gravity pulls it downward and it sinks. If it were less dense, it would float; if it were equal in density, it would be neutrally buoyant and neither sink nor rise. Dissolving isn’t about density in this context, so it doesn’t determine sinking or floating here.

In water, how an object behaves depends on its density relative to the water. The buoyant force from water equals the weight of the water the object displaces. If the block is denser than water, its weight per volume is greater than the upward buoyant force, so gravity pulls it downward and it sinks. If it were less dense, it would float; if it were equal in density, it would be neutrally buoyant and neither sink nor rise. Dissolving isn’t about density in this context, so it doesn’t determine sinking or floating here.