2006-09-03 10:19:24 · 5 answers · asked by Karasu 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Oil is lighter than water thats why it floats over water. Water is definitely denser than oil and thats why oil floats over water.
2006-09-03 10:24:29 · answer #1 · answered by rickashe 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a blessing that oil is ligher than water because if water gets into any petroleum product, it can be drained off the bottom quite easily. My cousins older farm tractor had a little glass bowl in the fuel line. You could see if there was water accumulating in it and push a little release valve to let out the water. That prevented water from going to the carburetor and into the engine.
If ever there is a crude oil spill, the oil will stay on top of the water which is good because then it is easier to clean up. If it sank, that would be an even bigger disaster.
The chemical makeup of petroleum in any form, causes it to be more complex than water and therefore it is lighter by volume.
2006-09-03 17:32:25 · answer #2 · answered by Harley Charley 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oil is less dense than water, which is at least one plus when we have a serious oil spill. It floats on the water which makes it somewhat easier to gather up before extensive damage to the environment.
2006-09-03 17:24:01 · answer #3 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oil is thicker and more viscous. Oil is not more dense. Viscosity is not related to density.
2006-09-03 18:00:01 · answer #4 · answered by Jack 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is, or it wouldn't float.
2006-09-03 18:23:15 · answer #5 · answered by bigjones37 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋