The following cylinder contains three liquids that do not mix with one another: water (density = 1.0 g/mL), vegetable oil (density = 0.93 g/mL), and mercury (density = 13.5 g/mL). Which liquid is which?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that the density of a substance is a measure of its mass per unit volume. In this case, the densities of the three liquids are given in g/mL.
2. Step 2: Recognize that in a mixture of immiscible liquids, the liquid with the highest density will settle at the bottom, while the liquid with the lowest density will float on top.
3. Step 3: Compare the given densities. The liquid with the highest density (13.5 g/mL) is mercury, so it will be at the bottom of the cylinder.
4. Step 4: The liquid with the next highest density (1.0 g/mL) is water, so it will be in the middle.
5. Step 5: The liquid with the lowest density (0.93 g/mL) is vegetable oil, so it will be at the top of the cylinder.

Key Concepts

Density

Density is defined as mass per unit volume, typically expressed in grams per milliliter (g/mL) for liquids. It is a crucial property that determines how substances interact with one another, particularly in terms of layering in a mixture. In this scenario, the different densities of water, vegetable oil, and mercury will dictate their positions in the cylinder, with the least dense liquid floating on top and the most dense liquid settling at the bottom.

Immiscibility

Immiscibility refers to the inability of two substances to mix or form a homogeneous solution. In this case, water, vegetable oil, and mercury are immiscible liquids, meaning they will not blend together but will instead form distinct layers based on their densities. Understanding immiscibility is essential for predicting how these liquids will arrange themselves in the cylinder.

Layering of Liquids

The layering of liquids occurs when multiple immiscible liquids are combined, resulting in distinct layers based on their densities. The liquid with the highest density will settle at the bottom, while the least dense liquid will float on top. In this question, recognizing the densities of water, vegetable oil, and mercury allows us to determine their respective positions in the cylinder, with mercury at the bottom, water in the middle, and vegetable oil on top.