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Question
Why does an object float or sink when placed on the surface of water?
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Solution
- When an object's density is less than 1 g cm-3 (water density), it floats on the water's surface because it always displaces more water than its weight.
- It floats because the buoyant force is greater than its weight. When an object has a density greater than 1 g cm-3, it sinks in water because it always displaces less water than it weighs.
- It sinks because buoyant force is smaller than its own weight.
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