Illinois Field Crop Applicators Practice Test

If the density of a solution is higher than that of water, what can be inferred about the solution?

1. The solution has more mass than an equal volume of water

2. The solution will float on water

3. The solution is less concentrated

4. The solution cannot dissolve in water

The correct answer is: The solution has more mass than an equal volume of water

When the density of a solution is higher than that of water, it indicates that the solution has more mass for an equal volume compared to water. Density is defined as mass per unit volume, so if a solution has a higher density, it means that within the same space, it contains a greater amount of mass than water would. This, in turn, means that a given volume of the solution will indeed outweigh the same volume of water, confirming that the solution is denser. This information helps distinguish the properties of solutions and their behavior when mixed with water. While it is important to note that denser solutions typically sink in water rather than float, which addresses the rationale behind ruling out floating characteristics of the solution. Also, higher density does not correlate with being less concentrated; in fact, it often implies a higher concentration. Similarly, higher density does not directly relate to solubility in water, as many dense solutions can still be quite soluble.