If I dropped a few ice cubes in rubbing alcohol would they float or sink, and why?

Question

Also, what would happen if I dropped ice cubes in vegetable oil, would they sink or float?

I really appreciate the help, and any information you can give. I'm working with density for a homework assignment, and I'm just really confused!

Answer 1

Well, you need have to know the density of both the alcohol and oil.

Water's 1 g/ml, and I know oil's less than 1g/ml (about .8 if my memory is right), so they would definitely sink in oil... Alcohol, didn't your teacher give you the density? Maybe you can find it on the internet (Wikipedia always helps) and if you are not 100% sure of your answers, come on, just try the little experiment at home! You're not going to die out of dropping an ice cube into a cup of alcohol or vegetable oil.

But it's probably a summer assignment and you probably have a lot more going on, so good luck with that and I hope I helped!

Answer 2

Isopropyl alcohol: 0.786 g/cm³

vegetable oil: 0.91 g/cm³

ice: 0.9167 g/cm³

Sink, Sink.