Question

Give the magnitude and direction of the net force acting on a cork of mass 10 g floating on water,

Answer 1

Zero net force

The weight of the cork is acting downward. It is balanced by the buoyant force exerted by the water in the upward direction. Hence, no net force is acting on the floating cork.

Answer 2

As the cork is floating on water, its weight is being balanced by the upthrust (equal to.weight of water displaced). Hence net force on the cork is zero