2007-05-22 03:03:13 · 11 answers · asked by isis s 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
It floats. Remember the Exxon Valdez oil tanker wrecked, and the oil floated, and coated the Alaskan coast. Oil is not as dense as water, so it floats.
2007-05-22 03:07:25 · answer #1 · answered by jleyendo 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, I am a chemist. Oil is less dense than water and as a result will float. It is insoluble in water and will not dissolve in water. An experiment would be when you boil noodles, such as Kraft Dinner, people add oil so that the noodles don't stick to the bottom or stick together. Notice how the oil floats, thats because its density is lower than water. Hope this helps.
Wee Man.
2007-05-22 10:47:55 · answer #2 · answered by boychuka 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a couple of the answers they say "because oil is lighter". Be very careful with "lighter" and "heavier". The proper way to state this is that oil is less dense than water. Because it has a lower density than water, oil will float on water.
2007-05-22 10:10:23 · answer #3 · answered by hcbiochem 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oil floats because it is lighter than water. Try some cooking oil in the sink.
2007-05-22 10:06:41 · answer #4 · answered by russ m 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oil floats because it is less dense than water and insoluble in water.
The terms lighter and heavier are not scientifically sound because if you have 100 times the oil the oil is "heavier" but will still float because it is still less dense than water.
Density is mass per unit of volume and less dense fluids float, if and only if they are not soluble. If a liquid is soluble a solution will be formed.
So the correct answer has two parts oil is less dense and is insoluble in water.
2007-05-22 10:10:27 · answer #5 · answered by Brian K² 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oil floats because it is lighter than water.
2007-05-22 10:07:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oil floats in water because it less denser the water(lighter).
2007-05-22 10:08:43 · answer #7 · answered by Phy A 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
G'day mate,
go get some oil n pour it on some water. or go get some oil and pour some water on it.
one is lighter than the other so oil is less dense than water, I always feel light headed so I guess I'm less dense than those that don't feel light headed..
2007-05-22 10:09:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oil is less dense.. and less denser particles tend to float.
Also oil is hydrophibic (does not like water) so it doesn't mix with water.. water is a polar molecule and polar and non-polar cannot mix..
2007-05-22 10:46:21 · answer #9 · answered by MedTq367 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oil and Water don't mix. Can't tell u why but this part of your answer.
2007-05-22 10:11:11 · answer #10 · answered by Maverick 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋