Since lead is more dense than water, and the density of a substance will always be the same no matter what size, than (1)how come a very small piece of lead can float on water????
(2)Is this only because of surface tension? Or is there more?
(3) Is density the only key to whether or not a substance will float in the presence of another, or is the bouyant force totally different than just density?!?!?!?!
2007-09-28 12:05:43 · 4 answers · asked by Upon this rock 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Just surface tension.
2007-09-28 12:30:55 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(1) a very small piece of lead can float on water because of water surface tension.
(2)if the small piece of lead is thin, and in the form of a cup, it can displace enough water to be bouyant. Also, Harry Potter's use of the charm spell comes into play with forces of this magnitude
(3) Bouyant force, by definition is the upward focre from a fluid on a body that is in the fluid. It acts thru the centroid of the body, and its magnitude is equal to the weight of the volume of fluid displaced by the body. Bouyant force is totally different from density, but it takes density into account when you solve for it.
2007-09-28 12:53:12 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For minute objects, ( no matter what the density is) surface tension plays an important role.. Otherwise law of floatation is applied.
2007-09-28 15:17:25 · answer #3 · answered by Joymash 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(2) It is only because of surface tension.
(3) Density is the only factor.
2007-09-28 12:13:33 · answer #4 · answered by Frank M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋