An object with which of the following densities will float on water?

• A. 1.10 g/cm^3
• B. 2.00 g/cm^3
• C. 1.00 g/cm^3
• D. 0.85 g/cm^3

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the principle of buoyancy which states that an object will float on a liquid if its density is less than the density of that liquid.
2. Identify the density of water, which is approximately \$1.00\ \text{g/cm}^3$ at standard conditions.
3. Compare each given density value to the density of water: if the object's density is less than \$1.00\ \text{g/cm}^3$, it will float; if it is greater, it will sink.
4. Evaluate the given densities: \$1.10\ \text{g/cm}^3\(, \)2.00\ \text{g/cm}^3\(, and \)1.00\ \text{g/cm}^3$ are all equal to or greater than water's density, so these objects will not float.
5. Conclude that an object with a density of \$0.85\ \text{g/cm}^3$ (less than water's density) will float on water.