Liquids More Dense Than Water or Alcohol (2024)

Most recent answer: 10/22/2007

Q:

Which liquid is more dense water or Alcohol?
- Larry (age 46)
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

A:

Well, I cannot speak for all kinds of alcohols, but the common ones (methanol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol) are a little less dense than water. All three of these have densities of about 0.79 g/cc at standard temperature and pressure, compared to 1.0 g/cc for water.

Lots of liquids are more dense than water or the three different alcohols mentioned.

Mercury is a liquid at room temperature and has a density of 13.6 times that of water (careful, mercury’s poisonous). Most metals, when melted, will be heavier than water (but may be hotter than water will tolerate), such as molten lead or steel (lead’s also poisonous!).

Glycerol (or Glycerin) is more dense than water (1.26 g/cc).

One could argue that glass is a very slow-moving, viscous liquid (although it has lots of properties of a solid, like rigidity). It’s more dense than water.

Even saltwater is more dense than water. By how much depends on how much salt you’ve dissolved in it.

Tom

(published on 10/22/2007)

Follow-Up #1: Alcohol/Water density difference

Q:

how to you perform an experiment to see if alcohol is less or more denser than water?
- bob carey (age 15)
annapolis, maryland, united states

A:

Hello Bob,

There is a device called a hydrometer that is used to measure the density of liquids. Basically it is a small glass vial, with a bit of weight in the bottom, that will float in the liquid. Depending on the density of the liquid it will float higher or lower. The height, read out on a calibrated scale, allows one to determine the density.

A very simple test that you can do to measure the relative density of alcohol and water is to stick a tiny weight on the end of a toothpick or pencil that makes the buoyancy such that it doesn't sink. Then measure the relative heights that it floats in alcohol and in water.

LeeH

(published on 10/22/2007)

Liquids More Dense Than Water or Alcohol (2024)

FAQs

Which liquid is more dense water or alcohol? ›

Which liquid is more dense water or Alcohol? A: Well, I cannot speak for all kinds of alcohols, but the common ones (methanol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol) are a little less dense than water. All three of these have densities of about 0.79 g/cc at standard temperature and pressure, compared to 1.0 g/cc for water.

Which is denser, alcohol or water? ›

Alcohol is less dense than water so spirits can float on top of water or juices. They don't mix because, unless they are stirred up, natural mixing of fluids is actually a very slow process.

How to tell which liquid is more dense? ›

The density of a liquid is a measure of how heavy it is for the amount measured. If you weigh equal amounts or volumes of two different liquids, the liquid that weighs more is more dense.

What is more dense than alcohol? ›

Oil is more dense than alcohol, but less dense than water. The molecules that make up the oil are larger than those that that make up water, so they cannot pack as tightly together as the water molecules can.

What liquid is thinner than water? ›

Methanol, dimethyl ketone, methyl ethyl ketone, propanol, isopropyl alcohol, and several others would have a lower viscosity, IE be “thinner” than water.

What liquid is heaviest? ›

Mercury is the heaviest liquid at room temperature. But the heaviest liquid irrespective of temperature is liquid osmium (a rare metal) at its melting point (3033°C/5491.4°F), with a density of 22.59 g·cm3, 1.65 times as heavy as mercury.

Why is water more dense than alcohol? ›

In ethanol hydrogen bonds are not as strong as water . Its molecules can pack closely together,so space between water molecules is less than the space between alcohol molecules. which means that it has more mass in the same volume than ethanol. So, water is more dense than ethanol .

What makes a liquid more dense? ›

Introduction: Liquid density depends on the amount of solute dissolved in the solution. If there is a higher concentration of solute, such as NaCl, then that solute has a greater mass in that solution. In the same volume of water that solute will have a greater mass in turn causing it to have a higher density.

Is alcohol more dense than saltwater? ›

Saltwater is more dense than isopropyl alcohol, so the alcohol floats on top of the saltwater.

What liquid has different density? ›

Lighter liquids (like water or vegetable oil) are less dense than heavier liquids (like honey or corn syrup) so they float on top of the heavier liquids. The same amount of two different liquids you used in the container will have different densities because they have different masses.

Can humans float in ethanol? ›

You cannot float in 80-proof [40 per cent] alcohol – even with lungs fully inflated, your body is denser than the liquor and you will sink if you stop swimming. 2) The fumes will probably cause you to choke and cough.

Is vinegar heavier than water? ›

Answer and Explanation:

Since the density of the vinegar is d v ≈ 1.01 g / m L at 25 ∘ C . Thus, The density of the vinegar is a little bit greater than the density of the water. Hence, we can say that the vinegar will sink if it is added to water.

What is the lightest liquid? ›

For liquids that exist at room temperature and pressure, isopentane at 0.616 g/mL is a good possibility. If you want to be more exotic, liquid hydrogen (0.0708 g/mL) and liquid helium-3 (0.059 g/mL at its boiling point) are good candidates.

Does milk sink in water? ›

Correct answer:

The most dense liquid will sink to the bottom, and the least dense liquid will rise to the top. We know that the milk was underneath the water in the beaker, so we can conclude that milk has a greater density than water.

Why would an object float in water but sink in rubbing alcohol? ›

Water has a density of 1.00 gram/mL therefore those objects with a density of less than 1.00 gram/mL will float in water. 70% isopropyl alcohol has a density of about 0.88 g/mL therefore those pellets with a density of less than 0.88 g/mL will float in alcohol.

Which medium is denser water or alcohol? ›

The refractive index of alcohol is more than water, therefore, alcohol is optically denser medium.

Will rubbing alcohol float on water? ›

ALCOHOL SIMPLY DOESN'T FLOAT ON WATER. IF IT'S 70% ALCOHOL IT MEANS IT'S 30% WATER.

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