Chapter 10, Problem 9Q

To determine

To explain: The reason why a submerged can of coke will sink while a can of diet coke will float.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Density can be defined as the measure of mass per unit volume. Mathematically, density is given by:

  $\rho =\frac{m}{V}$

Here,

  $m$ is the mass of the fluid.

  $V$ is the volume of the fluid.

The volume of water displaced can be determined by the density of the object.

A carbonated liquid is contained in coke as well as in diet coke due to which they have lesser density than the density of water. But in case of coke there is some amount of sugar dissolved in it, due to which, the density of coke becomes greater than the density of water and hence, it will sink. On the other hand, diet coke has no added sugar, so its density will remain the same. Hence, it floats.

Conclusion:

Hence, due to increase in density of coke than that of the water, it will sink and due to lesser density of diet coke than water, it will float.