A cargo tank leaking gasoline with a specific gravity of 0.8 will behave on water?

A cargo tank leaking gasoline with a specific gravity of 0.8 will behave on water?

• A. Sink to bottom
• B. Dissolve in water
• C. React with water
• D. Remain on top of the water

Answer: (D)

Gasoline is lighter than water, so it rides on the surface rather than sinking. Its specific gravity is about 0.8, which means it’s less dense than water (water has SG of 1.0). Gasoline is also largely immiscible with water, so it won’t dissolve or react with it. Because of these properties, a gasoline leak will form a surface slick that stays on top and can spread outward with currents and wind. That’s why remaining on top is the correct behavior. If a liquid were heavier than water, it would sink, and if it dissolved or reacted with water, those would be different behaviors.

Gasoline is lighter than water, so it rides on the surface rather than sinking. Its specific gravity is about 0.8, which means it’s less dense than water (water has SG of 1.0). Gasoline is also largely immiscible with water, so it won’t dissolve or react with it. Because of these properties, a gasoline leak will form a surface slick that stays on top and can spread outward with currents and wind. That’s why remaining on top is the correct behavior. If a liquid were heavier than water, it would sink, and if it dissolved or reacted with water, those would be different behaviors.