Two samples of pure water are mixed with food coloring. One sample is red, and the other is blue. When the two water samples are combined, the red water floats on top of the blue water. Which statement best explains this result? (1 point)
Responses
The blue water is warmer and is more dense.
The blue water is warmer and is more dense.
The red water is warmer and is less dense.
The red water is warmer and is less dense.
The blue water is colder and is less dense.
The blue water is colder and is less dense.
The red water is colder and is more dense.
The blue water is colder and is more dense.
The statement that best explains the result is: "The red water is warmer and is less dense."
To understand why the red water floats on top of the blue water, we need to consider the concept of density. Density is a measure of how much mass (or matter) is packed into a given volume. If an object or substance is less dense than another, it will float on top.
In this scenario, we are given that the two samples of pure water are mixed with food coloring. The food coloring does not affect the density of the water itself, so it can be neglected for this explanation.
Now, let's consider the options given:
1. The blue water is warmer and is more dense.
2. The red water is warmer and is less dense.
3. The blue water is colder and is less dense.
4. The red water is colder and is more dense.
Water density is affected by its temperature. When water is heated, it generally expands and becomes less dense. Conversely, when water is cooled, it contracts and becomes more dense.
Since we know that the red water floats on top of the blue water, it indicates that the red water is less dense than the blue water. Therefore, options 2 and 4 can be eliminated, as they propose that the red water is warmer and more dense, or colder and less dense, respectively.
Between the remaining options, we need to determine which color of water is associated with a higher temperature. Unfortunately, this information is not given in the question, so we cannot definitively determine which water is warmer. This means both options 1 and 3 are still potentially correct explanations.
To determine the correct answer, we would need additional information about the temperature of the blue and red water samples.