What happens to substances with a specific gravity above 1.0 in water?

Substances with a specific gravity greater than 1.0 will sink in water. Specific gravity is a measure of density compared to the density of water. When a substance has a specific gravity greater than that of water, it means that it is denser than water. As a result, when placed in water, the force of buoyancy is not sufficient to keep the substance afloat, causing it to sink to the bottom.

In contrast, substances with a specific gravity less than 1.0 would float on the surface, while those at exactly 1.0 would be neutrally buoyant, neither sinking nor floating. Evaporation pertains to the change of state from liquid to gas and does not apply to the behavior of solids or heavier liquids in water. Similarly, dissolving completely refers to a solid dissolving in a liquid, which is not relevant to the behavior of denser substances in the context of specific gravity. Understanding these properties is essential for effective wastewater management and treatment processes.