Question

A steel ball floats on mercury because?
1. Mercury does not allow any metal ball to sink it
2. Mercury is also a metal in the liquid form
3. The density of mercury is higher than that of steel
4. A steel ball can be made to float on any liquid by suitable adjustment
5. None of the above statement is correct

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : The density of mercury is higher than that of steel

The correct answer is The density of mercury is higher than that of steel.

• A steel ball floats on mercury because the density of mercury is higher than that of steel.Steel density is 8.05  g/cm3

• Mercury:
  • Symbol: Hg
  • Atomic number: 80
  • Atomic mass: 200.59 u
  • Density:13.6 g/cm³.
• Iron :
  • Density: 7.87  g/cm³.

.As we see the density of steel is less than that of mercury hence it floats on mercury.

• The ore of mercury is Cinnabar (HgS), Caloment (Hg₂Cl₂).
• Mercury is kept in an iron pot because it does not form an amalgam with iron.

• Mercury Thermometer was invented by Fahrenheit.