Why can't the water displacement method be used to find the volume of all solids?
Some solids react with water, some absorb (porus) water, all of which will lead to inaccuracies, some float.
However, floating objects can be made to submerge in order to find the volume.
The water displacement method is a technique used to find the volume of irregularly shaped objects by measuring the amount of water they displace when submerged in a container. While this method is effective for many solids, there are a few reasons why it cannot be used for all solids:
1. Solids that dissolve in water: Some solids, like salt or sugar, dissolve in water. When these substances are submerged, they mix with the water, making it impossible to accurately measure the volume of the solid alone.
2. Solids that float: If a solid floats in water, it means that it is less dense than water. In such cases, the volume of the solid cannot be determined using water displacement since the object does not sink and displace a measurable amount of water.
3. Solids that react with water: Certain solids, such as alkali metals like sodium or potassium, react violently with water, producing gas and altering the volume of water. These reactions prevent accurate measurements of displacement.
4. Solids with complex shapes: Although the water displacement method can work for many irregularly shaped objects, it becomes challenging when dealing with solids that have complex shapes or cavities. It may be difficult to fully submerge the solid, resulting in inaccurate volume measurements.
In cases when the water displacement method cannot be used, alternative methods like using mathematical equations or instruments such as calipers or volumetric devices may be employed to determine the volume of the solids.