An object with a relative density (specific gravity) greater than 1 is denser than water and will sink, while an object with a relative density less than 1 will float. This concept is rooted in Archimedes' principle, which relates to the buoyant force and an object's average density compared to the fluid it is in.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'objects with a relative density greater than 1 will sink' is essentially true. The concept of density is crucial when discussing why objects float or sink. The density of water is a well-known reference point, measured as 1 gram per milliliter (g/mL) at 4°C. When an object has a relative density, also known as specific gravity, greater than 1, it implies the object is denser than water and will indeed sink. An object that has a relative density less than 1 is less dense than water and will therefore float. If the specific gravity is exactly 1, an object will remain neutrally buoyant within the water, neither sinking nor floating.
An application of this principle is Archimedes' principle, which states that the buoyant force on an object submerged in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid that the object displaces. If the object's average density is less than that of the surrounding fluid, the buoyant force is greater than the object's weight, and it will float. The reverse is true for objects that are denser than the fluid. An interesting demonstration of varying density and buoyancy is in the behavior of ice and oil compared to water. With a relative density of about 0.91, ice floats on water, whereas metals, being denser than water, will sink.