Water (density = 1.00 g/mL) will float on hexane (density = 0.95 mL).
No, but hexane will float on water.
Yes, water (density = 1.00 g/mL) will float on hexane (density = 0.95 g/mL).
To understand why, we need to compare the densities of the two substances. Density is a measure of how much mass is packed into a given volume. The formula for density is:
Density = mass / volume
Since both substances are in the liquid state, we can compare their densities to determine which one will float on top of the other. In this case, water has a density of 1.00 g/mL, which means that 1 mL of water weighs 1.00 grams. Hexane, on the other hand, has a density of 0.95 g/mL, which means that 1 mL of hexane weighs 0.95 grams.
Since water has a higher density than hexane, it will sink in hexane rather than float on top. This is because denser substances tend to sink in less dense substances.
Therefore, in this case, water will sink and hexane will float, meaning that water will not float on hexane but rather go below it.
When comparing the densities of water and hexane, it is observed that the density of hexane (0.95 g/mL) is less than the density of water (1.00 g/mL). In simple terms, this means that water is more dense than hexane.
Typically, substances with higher densities sink in substances with lower densities. Following this logic, water, being more dense, should sink in hexane. However, this is an exception to the rule because both water and hexane are liquids. Their densities determine their relative positions when they are mixed together.
In reality, water will not sink or dissolve in hexane; instead, it will float on top of it. This is because water and hexane do not mix well with each other due to their different polarities. Water is a polar molecule, while hexane is non-polar. Polar molecules are attracted to each other due to their dipole moments, while non-polar molecules are not.
As a result, water and hexane form separate layers, with water floating on top of the hexane layer. The density difference between water and hexane is not significant enough to overcome the surface tension and intermolecular forces that keep the two liquids separate.
In summary, water (density = 1.00 g/mL) will float on hexane (density = 0.95 g/mL) due to their different polarities and inability to mix well with each other.