If a liquid has a specific gravity greater than 1, what happens when it is placed in water?

When a liquid has a specific gravity greater than 1, it indicates that the liquid is denser than water. In practical terms, specific gravity is a comparison of the density of a substance to the density of water; water has a specific gravity of 1. Therefore, if a liquid's specific gravity exceeds this number, it will not be able to displace enough water to stay afloat. Instead, it will sink to the bottom.

This behavior is based on the principles of buoyancy, where an object will float if it is less dense than the fluid it is placed in. Since the liquid in this case is more dense than water, it will sink upon being placed in the water. This concept is crucial for understanding the interactions between different substances, particularly in firefighting scenarios where knowledge of materials and their behaviors can impact strategies for controlling fires and hazardous materials.