You mix oil and vinegar for a salad dressing. After a few minutes, the oil has separated and is floating. Infer which has the greater density - oil or vinegar. Explain.
I put "Vinegar has more density since it's on the bottom, where the oil has less since it separated and floated to the top instead of going to the bottom."
Is this an accurate answer? I've been having trouble with kids calling me stupid, so I want to make sure this sounds NOT DUMB. Does it look like a good studied did it? I put a lot into studying for my test and the homework is kind of hard. Does it look ok?
yes it's a very reasonable answer
you could put that vinegar has the most density because it sinks to the bottom unlike the oil which has bouyancy that keeps it afloat.
Thanks, Francis! At least someone other than teachers and lunch table friends support me!
you welcome :-)
It seems like you are unsure about your answer and are seeking validation. Let me help you understand the concept better so that you can have a clearer understanding and explanation.
In this scenario, when oil and vinegar are mixed, they eventually separate because they have different densities. Density is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume of a substance. The denser substance will sink to the bottom, while the less dense substance will float on top.
To determine which has the greater density, we need to understand the relative densities of oil and vinegar. In general, oil has a lower density than vinegar. This is because oil is composed of larger, nonpolar molecules, while vinegar is mostly water-based and contains smaller polar molecules.
Due to the difference in densities, oil floats on top of vinegar when they are mixed together. The oil molecules do not mix well with the polar water molecules in vinegar, so they tend to stay separate and rise to the surface.
So, to answer your question, the accurate statement would be: "Vinegar has a higher density relative to oil, which is why it sinks to the bottom when the two are mixed. Oil, being less dense, floats on top." This explanation is based on the concept of density and the behavior of oil and vinegar when mixed.
It's important to remember that not all answers are straightforward, and it's normal to encounter challenging concepts. Asking questions and seeking clarification is a positive approach to learning. Keep up your efforts in studying and understanding the topic, and don't let others discourage you.