The diagram shows the layers formed when 10 mL each of corn starch, water, and vegetable oil were slowly poured into a glass cylinder. A tall cylinder with 3 layers is shown. The top layer is labeled Oil, the middle layer is labeled Water and the bottom layer is labeled Corn Starch. A paper clip released gently into the liquid settles at the bottom of the cylinder. What best compares the densities of the substances? Oil is denser than the other liquids, and all liquids are denser than the clip. The clip is denser than the three liquids, and water is denser than oil. Oil is denser than water but less dense than the clip. Corn starch is denser than the other liquids and the clip.

The clip is denser than the three liquids, and water is denser than oil.

Explanation:

In this exercise, the Archimedes principle must be used, on the thrust that is equal to the weight of the dislodged liquid

          B = ρ_liquid g V_body

when a body is placed on a liquid, the equilibrium equation must be fulfilled

          W - B = 0  

          W = B

            ρ_body g V_body =  ρ _liquid  g V’

from this expression we see that we have three possibilities

* the density of the body is less than the density of the liquid, therefore the body floats

* The density of the body is equal to the density of the liquid, the body is in equilibrium with the liquid, neither floats nor sinks

* the density of the body greater than that of the liquid, the body sinks.

Based on this, the liquids are arranged in the cylinder according to their density.

           ρ_oil <  ρ_water  <  ρ_starch

as the clip sinks

the density of the clip is higher than that of liquids

We review the final statements and the correct one is: Clip is denser than liquids and water is denser than oil

real, smaller and upside-down.   so the answer should be b.