Question

A cube is measure 1 centimeter on each side and has a mass of 2 grams. Will it float on water?

Answer 1

No. The cube will sink.

Explanation:

The formula for density is given by

`rho = "mass"/"volume"`

You were given a mass of 2 grams. If the side of one cube is 1 cm, then it's volume is

`V_"cube"="side"^3=(1" cm")^3`

Therefore, the density of the cube is

`rho=(2" g")/(1" cm"^3)=2 "g"/("cm"^3)`

The density of water is `1 "g"/("cm"^3)`

Because the density of the cube > the density of water, the cube will sink.