Question

From the video, can you figure out the density of the plasticine used?

Answer

The plasticine boat has a mass of 100 grams (see 0:05)

When floating as a boat, it displaces 100 cm³ (see 0:21) which corresponds to 100 grams of water. Just enough so that weight of displaced water matches weight of the plasticine.

As a compact lump, it displaces 50 cm³ of water (see 0:33), which corresponds to 50 grams of water (density of water is 1 g cm^-3). Weight of displaced water is less than weight of the plasticine. As a solid lump, plasticine sinks in water.

Note that the actual volume of the plasticine is 50 cm³. But when moulded into a boat, it can displace more than its volume of water. That’s how metal ships float.

The density of plasticine is M ÷ V = 100 g ÷ 50 cm³ = 2 g cm^-3.

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