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General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Seaman Kids on 25/05/2008 22:27:59

Title: Why does a slice of lemon float but lime sinks?
Post by: Seaman Kids on 25/05/2008 22:27:59

Seaman Kids  asked the Naked Scientists:

Every sunday evening my dad has a gin and tonic with lemon and my mum has a rum and coke with a piece of lime.

But the lemon floats and the lime sinks! Why is this?
   
  Amy Seaman

What do you think?

Title: Why does a slice of lemon float but lime sinks?
Post by: lyner on 26/05/2008 20:40:58

If an object floats in a liquid then you know its average density is less than the liquid and vice versa.
In the case of lemons and limes this may be due to the skin of a lemon having air spaces in it but the lime skin may not and, consequently, be a bit more dense.
It is possible that the bubbles of one fizzy drink tend to attach to lemons but the other fizzy stuff doesn't stick bubbles to lime . Look closely; are there visible bubbles on the outside of the lemon slices?

Title: Why does a slice of lemon float but lime sinks?
Post by: paul.fr on 27/05/2008 19:56:29

Quote from: sophiecentaur on 26/05/2008 20:40:58

If an object floats in a liquid then you know its average density is less than the liquid and vice versa.
In the case of lemons and limes this may be due to the skin of a lemon having air spaces in it but the lime skin may not and, consequently, be a bit more dense.
It is possible that the bubbles of one fizzy drink tend to attach to lemons but the other fizzy stuff doesn't stick bubbles to lime . Look closely; are there visible bubbles on the outside of the lemon slices?

you may also want to try this:
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=6730.msg175827#msg175827