The sink-float method is often used to identify the type of glass material found at crime scenes by determining its density.
several different types of glass of known density are placed into solutions of varying densities. determine whether each glass
piece will sink, float, or do neither when immersed in the given solution.
glass that will sink
glass that will float
glass that will not sink or float
alkali zinc borosilicate with a density of
2.57 g/ml in a solution with a density
of 2.46 g/ml
soda borosilicate with a density of 2.27 g/ml
in a solution with a density of 2.62 g/ml
alkali strontium with a density of 2.26 g/ml in
a solution with a density of 2.34 g/ml
potash borosilicate with a density of
2.16 g/ml in a solution with a density
of 2.16 g/ml
potash soda lead with a density of 3.05 g/ml
in a solution with a density of 1.65 g/ml
answer bank
terms of use
contac

Glass that will sink

alkali zinc borosilicate with a density of 2.57 g/mL in a solution with a density of 2.46 g/mLpotash soda lead with a density of 3.05 g/mL in a solution with a density of 1.65 g/mL

Glass that will float

soda borosilicate with a density of 2.27 g/mL in a solution with a density of 2.62 g/mLalkali strontium with a density of 2.26 g/mL in a solution with a density of 2.34 g/mL

Glass that will not sink or float

potash borosilicate with a density of 2.16 g/mL in a solution with a density of 2.16 g/mL

Explanation:

Density is the property of matter that states the ratio of the amount of matter, its mass, to the space occupied by it, its volume.

So, the mathematical expression for the density is:

density = mass / volume

By comparing the density of a material with the density of a liquid, you will be able to determine whether object will float, sink, or do neither when immersed in the liquid.

The greater the density of an object the more it will try to sink in the liquid.

As you must have experienced many times an inflatable ball (whose density is very low) will float in water, but a stone (whose denisty is greater) will sink in water.

The flotation condition may be summarized by:

When the density of the object < density of the liquid, the object will floatWhen the density of the object = density of the liquid: the object will neither float nor sinkWhen the density of the object > density of the liquid: the object will sink.

Glass that will sink

alkali zinc borosilicate with a density of 2.57 g/mL in a solution with a density of 2.46 g/mL, because 2.57 > 2.46.potash soda lead with a density of 3.05 g/mL in a solution with a density of 1.65 g/mL, because 3.05 > 1.65.

Glass that will float

soda borosilicate with a density of 2.27 g/mL in a solution with a density of 2.62 g/mL, because 2.27 < 2.62.alkali strontium with a density of 2.26 g/mL in a solution with a density of 2.34 g/mL, because 2.26 < 2.34.

Glass that will not sink or float

potash borosilicate with a density of 2.16 g/mL in a solution with a density of 2.16 g/mL, because 2.16 = 2.16

Green is technically every other color but green but the other wavelengths of the other colors get absorbed by the object and the wavelength of the color green gets reflected