A solid metal cylinder has a mass of 250g and occupies a volume of 200cm3. It is to be tested in three different liquids whose densities are given in the table below.
Liquid Density (kgm−3)
Kerosene 800
Salt solution 1100
Mercury 13600
Answer the following questions.
(i) Calculate the density of the metal cylinder in SI units.
(ii) For each of the three liquids, predict whether the cylinder will float or sink. Justify each answer briefly.
(iii) The cylinder is now tied tightly to a wooden block of mass 50g and volume 100cm3, forming a composite body. Calculate the average density of this composite body and state whether it will float or sink in the salt solution, giving a reason.