A ton of feathers and a ton of bricks are set side by side. Which statement about the two piles is correct?
AEqual masses, but the feathers take more volume
BEqual volumes, but the feathers have more mass
CEqual masses, and equal volumes for the two
DEqual density, but the bricks have more mass
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Equal masses, but the feathers take more volume
1. A ton is a unit of mass, so a ton of feathers and a ton of bricks have exactly the same mass.
2. Bricks have a much greater density than feathers.
3. Since density is mass divided by volume, the same mass at a lower density must occupy a larger volume, so the feathers make the bigger pile.
4. The two piles cannot share a density, because that would force equal volumes for equal masses.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 11 "Fluid Statics", section 11.2 Density_
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