Question

The diagram shows the layers formed when 10 mL each of honey, maple syrup, and corn syrup were slowly poured into a glass cylinder.
A tall cylinder with 3 layers is shown. The top layer is labeled Corn Syrup, the middle layer is labeled Maple Syrup and the bottom layer is labeled Honey.

A ping pong ball released gently into the cylinder floats on top of the corn syrup layer. What best compares the densities of the substances?

Group of answer choices

Honey is denser than corn syrup but less dense than the ball.

All liquids are denser than the ball, and honey is denser than corn syrup and maple syrup.

Corn syrup is denser than the other liquids, and the ball is denser than the liquids.

Corn syrup is denser than the other liquids and the ball.

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. All liquids are denser than the ball, and honey is denser than corn syrup and maple syrup.

Explanation:

Differences in density cause substances such as solids or liquids to float or sink. In general, the substance sinks if it is denser, or floats if it is less dense. In this context, honey is the substance with the most density because it is at the bottom of the container. Also, honey is followed in density by maple syrup, and then by corn syrup. Moreover, if the ping pong ball floats in the most superficial layer, it is because this is less dense than any of the liquids. According to this, it can be concluded honey is denser than the other liquids, and the liquids are denser than the ball (option B.)