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All objects in the same gravitational field fall at the same rate, or at least accelerate to their terminal velocity at the same rate regardless of their mass. This was demonstrated by a legendary experiment by Galileo (1564-1642) when dropped two cannon balls of different sizes from the Leaning Tower of Pisa - both struck the ground at the same time.

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How do you explain why things sink or float to a 5 year old?

Things sink if they are heavy and push the water down, and float if they are light and let the water hold them up like a balloon.


Do heavy things always sink and light things always float?

No, whether an object sinks or floats depends on its density compared to the density of the fluid it is placed in. An object with a lower density than water will float, while an object with a higher density will sink. The weight alone does not determine if the object will sink or float.


Do heavy objects sink while light objects float?

Not necessarily. Objects sink or float based on their density relative to the density of the fluid they are placed in. In general, dense objects tend to sink while less dense objects tend to float, but shape, size, and other factors can also play a role.


Why is it inaccurate to say that heavy objects sink and light objects float?

Because it is all about the physical concept of Density . You should say that an object will float if it's Density is lower than the Density of the fluid you choose to put it into . Example. Aluminum will float in Mercury liquid, because it is less dense than Mercury, yet you might refer to Aluminum as a heavy object , depending upon what other substance you are comparing it to.


Why do things sink or float in oil?

Things sink or float in oil based on their density. Objects that are less dense than the oil will float, while objects that are denser will sink. This is due to Archimedes' principle - an object will float if the weight of the fluid it displaces is equal to or greater than its own weight.

Related Questions

How do you explain why things sink or float to a 5 year old?

Things sink if they are heavy and push the water down, and float if they are light and let the water hold them up like a balloon.


Is it possible for a plant to drown?

It depends on the plant if it is heavy it will sink but not drown if it is light it will float


Do heavy things always sink and light things always float?

No, whether an object sinks or floats depends on its density compared to the density of the fluid it is placed in. An object with a lower density than water will float, while an object with a higher density will sink. The weight alone does not determine if the object will sink or float.


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.


Why do heavy things sink?

Not all heavy things sink. Things that are more dense than the liquid around them will sink.


Does helium float or sink?

Helium is light and it will float / rise.


Do heavy objects sink while light objects float?

Not necessarily. Objects sink or float based on their density relative to the density of the fluid they are placed in. In general, dense objects tend to sink while less dense objects tend to float, but shape, size, and other factors can also play a role.


Would a quarter float in water?

It will sink in water, but it will float in mercury. Depends on what the liquid is.


Why does driftwood float?

Because driftwood is dense. It needs something heavy to make it sink. Driftwood is made from sand, wood and is simply light.


Why do things float or sink?

Air resistance.


What are some things that can float and sink?

ice


What things float then sink?

Boats that get holes in them.