If the specific gravity of an unknown material released into a pond is 1.3, what will happen to the product?

When considering the behavior of substances in water, specific gravity is a key factor. Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water. Water has a specific gravity of 1.0. A material with a specific gravity greater than 1.0 is denser than water, which indicates that it will sink when released into water.

In this scenario, since the specific gravity of the unknown material is 1.3, it means the substance is 1.3 times denser than water. Therefore, upon being released into the pond, this material will sink to the bottom.

Understanding this principle is essential in hazardous materials response, as it affects how containment and cleanup efforts are approached—especially when dealing with spills in aquatic environments.