Question

Will a Cartesian diver with more or fewer air bubbles sink the fastest?

A. More air bubbles

B. Fewer air bubbles

C. Both sink at the same rate

D. It depends on the size of the air bubbles

Answer 1

In a Cartesian diver, more air bubbles will cause the diver to sink faster.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a Cartesian diver, a small, hollow object such as a pipette or a glass vial is placed inside a container filled with water. The diver is partially filled with air, creating air bubbles. When pressure is applied to the container, the diver sinks due to the increased pressure on the external surface, causing the air bubbles inside to compress. The speed at which the diver sinks depends on the number of air bubbles inside.

More air bubbles in the Cartesian diver create more surface area for the water to push against, increasing the drag force on the diver. As a result, the diver sinks faster. On the other hand, fewer air bubbles reduce the drag force, causing the diver to sink more slowly. Therefore, the correct answer is A. More air bubbles.