Yes, used motor oil floats on water. This is because the density of oil is lower than the density of water.
Understanding Oil and Water Density
- Density: Density is a measure of mass per unit volume. Substances with lower density float on substances with higher density.
- Oil's Density: Used motor oil has a lower density than water. This is consistently shown across various sources.
- Water's Density: Water has a relatively high density, making it a good solvent for many substances.
Several sources confirm this observation:
-
YouTube Video: A YouTube video titled "Will it Float - Motor Oil or Water - Episode #6" demonstrates that oil floats on water. [Link to Video](This link needs to be provided as the image provided cannot be read)
-
Multiple Online Forums and Articles: Numerous online forums and articles (like those from Reddit, Quora, and BobIsTheOilGuy) mention that oil floats on water, citing this as a reason for environmental concerns regarding oil spills. Examples include discussions on oil disposal and the impact of oil slicks on water bodies. [Links to various forums and articles are included in the references].
-
Environmental Impact: This property is relevant environmentally because an oil spill will form a visible layer on the surface of water. This layer can prevent sunlight and oxygen from reaching the aquatic life below.
Practical Implications
- Oil Spills: The fact that oil floats on water makes oil spills particularly damaging to aquatic environments.
- Oil Recycling: Because of this property, special procedures are used to properly dispose of used motor oil to prevent water contamination.
- Mechanical Applications: The fact that oil floats on water is also useful in some mechanical applications; for example, lubricating oil will generally stay above water in systems that might contain both oil and water.
