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The cause of this phenomenon is buoyancy. When the weight of an object is equally distributed according to its' mass over the water, the object is allowed to float on the surface. For example, a human laying on his/her back will easily float atop the water, however even a much lighter, misshapen rock will not.
What else can I help you with?
What causes something to sink or float?
What causes it to sink or float is the density. The density of water is 1.0. If the object's density is more 1.0 then it sinks, but if the object's density is less then 1.0 then the object will float.
Why would an object float in water but sink in rubbing alcohol?
An object will float in water if its density is less than that of water. Rubbing alcohol has a lower density than water, so an object that sinks in rubbing alcohol likely has a higher density than the rubbing alcohol. This difference in density causes the object to sink in rubbing alcohol but float in water.
Why object float in water?
Objects float because the air in the object causes it to rise because it is less denser than water. Objects float better in salt water because the salt makes the water more denser helping even heavier objects to float. -Kimberly P.S. I learned all this in 4th grade!!!!!!!!!!!
Why do filled things with air float on water?
Objects filled with air float on water because the density of air is much lower than the density of water. This creates buoyant force, which causes the object to float. The air-filled object displaces an amount of water equal to its weight, allowing it to stay afloat.
If an object floats in oil then does it float in water?
Not necessarily. An object's ability to float in a liquid depends on the density of the object compared to the density of the liquid. Even though an object may float in oil, it may not float in water if the object is more dense than water.
How much water should you use to make an object float?
The amount of water needed to make an object float depends on the object's density and volume. The volume of water displaced by the object should be equal to or greater than the volume of the object for it to float. Adding more water will increase the buoyant force.
Is it true that when the weight of an object is less than the density of water that object the object will float?
The weight does not determine if an object will float in water. If an object has a DENSITY that is more than the density of water then it will sink, if it's density is less than the density of water it will float.
Do people float more easily in salt water or fresh water?
An object floats because the amount of water it displaces weighs more than the object floating. If the fluid in which something is floating weighs more than water the object will float higher. When salt disolves in water it makes the water heavier, causing the object to float higher. The floating object can be a boat, a piece of wood or a person, it doesn't really matter. The principles of physics are applied equally.
How does density tell you if an object will float pure water?
If an object has a lower density than water, it will float. If an object has a higher density than water, it will sink. This is because objects will displace an amount of water equal to their own weight, and if the weight of the water displaced is greater than the weight of the object, the object will float.
What needs to be equal in order for an object to float in water?
The weight of the object must be equal to the weight of the water it displaces in order for the object to float in water. This is known as Archimedes' principle. If the object is less dense than water, it will float; if it is more dense, it will sink.
What determines and objects ability to float in water?
An object's ability to float in water is determined by its density relative to the density of water. If an object is less dense than water, it will float. If an object is more dense than water, it will sink. The shape and size of the object also play a role in determining its ability to float.
What force causes objects to float on water?
The force that causes objects to float on water is buoyancy. Buoyancy is the upward force exerted by a fluid (in this case, water) that opposes the weight of an object placed in the fluid. If the buoyant force is greater than the weight of the object, the object will float.
