Which type of chemicals will sink in water?

Chemicals that have a specific gravity greater than one are those that will sink in water. Specific gravity is a measure of the density of a substance compared to the density of water. Since water has a specific gravity of one, substances with a density greater than this will not float; they will sink when placed in water.

For example, if a chemical has a specific gravity of 1.5, it means it is 1.5 times denser than water. When introduced to water, the chemical will fall to the bottom due to its higher density, demonstrating that it sinks. Understanding specific gravity is essential in hazardous materials response, as it helps responders predict how substances will behave in the environment, particularly in water bodies, which is crucial for containment and cleanup strategies.

Other options describe chemicals with specific gravities less than or equal to one, which would float or remain suspended in water, but they do not accurately capture the behavior of sinking chemicals. Therefore, the emphasis on specific gravity greater than one directly ties into the principle of buoyancy and density as it pertains to chemicals in a water medium.