why would a piece of wood float on water and sink in methylated spirit
A piece of wood floats on water and sinks in methylated spirit due to differences in density and solubility.
When an object is placed in a liquid, whether it sinks or floats depends on its density compared to the density of the liquid. Density is the measure of how much mass an object has for a given volume. If the object's density is higher than that of the liquid, it will sink. Conversely, if the object's density is lower, it will float.
Water has a density of about 1 gram per cubic centimeter (g/cm³). Most types of wood, on the other hand, have a density lower than 1 g/cm³, which is why they tend to float in water. The empty spaces between the wood fibers add buoyancy, making the wood lighter in comparison to water.
Methylated spirit, also known as denatured alcohol, is a type of industrial alcohol mixed with a small amount of methanol. The density of methylated spirit is typically lower than that of water. Therefore, if the density of the piece of wood is greater than that of the methylated spirit, it will sink.
It's important to note that the solubility of the object in the liquid also plays a role. Wood is insoluble in water, meaning it doesn't dissolve in water. However, some types of wood may be partially soluble in certain liquids, such as methylated spirit, resulting in the wood sinking due to both density and solubility factors.
To summarize, a piece of wood floats on water due to its lower density compared to water, while it sinks in methylated spirit due to its higher density and potential solubility in the liquid.
Well, it seems like that piece of wood just can't make up its mind! Maybe it wants to be closer to its aquatic friends in water, so it floats there. But when it gets thrown into the party spirit of methylated spirit, it decides to take a dive and sink. I guess wood can be quite adventurous when it comes to exploring different liquids!
Wood floats in water due to its density being less than the density of water. The density of any object determines whether it will float or sink in a fluid. The density of wood is generally lower than that of water, which allows it to displace enough water to effectively float.
However, when it comes to methylated spirit (also known as denatured alcohol), the situation is different. Methylated spirit has a lower density than water, meaning it is less dense than water. This lower density causes objects with higher density, such as wood, to sink when placed in methylated spirit.
In summary, wood floats on water due to its lower density, but sinks in methylated spirit due to the lower density of the spirit compared to water.
the density of water is greater than most wood. The alcohol density is less than most wood
force up = volume of fluid displaced *density * g.
if water, the volume displaced can be less than the volume of the wood.
If alcohol, the total volume of wood totally submerged does not displace enough alcohol to float the wood.