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Short AnswerWhether something sinks or floats in water depends on how much it weighs. Water weighs one gram for one cubic centimeter, or one kilogram for a liter. Anything that weighs less than one gram for one cubic centimeter will float, but anything heavier than that will sink. Long AnswerThe buoyancy of an object (i.e. whether it sinks, floats, or stays where it is) depends on the pressure of water at that depth and the downward pressure exerted by an object on the water. Water pressure increases with increasing depth based on the relationship ρ*g*h, where ρ is the density of water (1000kg/m3), g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s2), and h is the height (in meters). The pressure exerted by the object depends on the relationship (m*g)/A where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and A is the surface area perpendicular to gravity (for instance, a for a cylindrical barrel floating upright, the surface area of the bottom of the barrel would be A). The resulting comparison will tell you how deep the object will sink. You are essentially looking for the point at which

ρ*h = m/A

By looking at these relationships, you might notice that every object with mass sinks somewhat. No object truly floats on the water; it simply does not sink to a depth where the object is entirely below the water line. Some creatures are able to walk on water; however, this is by utilizing the water's surface tension rather than actually "floating".

The Density of Water is one gram/ cubic centimeters. NO MATTER WHAT!

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11y ago
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12y ago

its density

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Q: What makes things sink or float in the water?
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Related questions

Is mass what makes things float or sink in water?

no!!


What property in water makes things sink or float?

Its density.If a substance is denser than water, it will sink. If it is less dense, then it will float.(The surface tension of water also contributes slightly to this.)


What makes us float?

We float or there is a possibility you can sink. You sink when you are heaver than the mass of the water. You float when you are lighter than the mass of the water.


What makes an item to float or sink in water?

This depends on the density of this item: more denser than water-sink, less denser than water-float.


Will a marker float or sink in water?

I have a marker which float in water.


Why does only light things float in salt water?

Whether things float or sink this depend only on the density , the density of the salt water is aprox. 1030 kilogram per meter cube so if you but things have density less than that they will float , things with higher density sink.


Will arsenic float or sink in pure water?

does Arsenic float or sink


Why does puffed puri float and flat sink?

Puffing it up makes it less dense. Anything less dense than water can float on water, and anything more dense than water will sink.


Do clothes float or sink?

it will float as long as it is not fully covered water.


Will scoria float or sink in water?

scoria will sink but pumice will float.


Does sugar cubes float in water?

no it doesnt because it has lots of mass which makes in sink.


What makes an object float in salt water and sink in fresh water?

the salt water is denser because of the salt