Would a model of Saturn float in water?
1 min 46 s. The words are spoken and shown in the picture; the player can also show them as subtitles.
For the Earth and Space Sciences Regents. Topic: Planet and dwarf planet data, with the past questions on it.
What Dr. Mars says (the words of the video)
Would a model of Saturn float in water?
Two models of the same size: Saturn and Earth.
Each model has the density of its planet.
Density is the mass in each cubic centimeter of a material.
Water: one point zero grams per cubic centimeter.
Dr. Mars lowers the model Saturn into the water.
It floats: Saturn is less dense than water.
Now the model Earth.
It sinks: Earth is denser than water.
A real Saturn cannot float in a tub.
The model shows only how its density compares with water.
Reference Tables, page two: Solar System Objects Data Table.
It lists each planet's diameter, but not its density.
Terrestrial planets, near the Sun: small, rocky and dense.
Jovian planets, farther out: large, gaseous, low in density.
Saturn is the only planet less dense than water.
Check yourself! Compared to terrestrial planets, Jovian planets are: A, smaller and denser. B, larger and less dense. Or C, larger and denser?
Think of the table and the tub.
Answer: B! Jovian planets are larger and less dense.
Less dense, like the floating Saturn model in Dr. Mars's tub.
Dr. Mars. Free practice for the New York Earth and Space Sciences Regents.