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There are several ways.

  • It could be made of one of the metals that actually do float on water: lithium, sodium, and potassium
  • It could be formed into a shape that spreads the weight around so much that the water will support it, such as a boat.
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12y ago

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How will you determine if something will float in water?

If the object, when submerged in water, displaces a volume of water whose mass is greater than its own, then it will float. The density of the material from which it is made is not the key as can be seen from the fact that ships made of metal will float.


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 do you make metal float but not on water?

I can make a iron nail float. Simply melt some lead and the iron will float on top of the lead. Your question seems to be with regard to how do Boats float and the answer is Bouyancy. The Boat displaces a volume of water and if the weight of the displaced water is less than the weight of the boat, the boat will float.


Why a heavy object float in water?

The density of most of the woods are less than 1. That's why they are floating in water. The buoyancy force of water will help the woods to float on water if it's density is less than the density of water.


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.

Related Questions

Why can metal float?

For something to float, it must displace the same amount of water as it weighs. Answer:To float in water, a solid metal object must be lighter than the water equivalent to its volume. This would make lithium (at S.G. 0.53) the only metal that would float in water.Objects which are hollow and made of metal float because the contained volume of the object divided by the weight of the object is less than 1 gm/cm3, the density of water. Solid metal objects can float in liquids which have a density greater than they exhbit thesmelves. As an example, almost all metals will float in mercury


Can metal float?

For something to float, it must displace the same amount of water as it weighs. Answer:To float in water, a solid metal object must be lighter than the water equivalent to its volume. This would make lithium (at S.G. 0.53) the only metal that would float in water.Objects which are hollow and made of metal float because the contained volume of the object divided by the weight of the object is less than 1 gm/cm3, the density of water. Solid metal objects can float in liquids which have a density greater than they exhbit thesmelves. As an example, almost all metals will float in Mercury


How can a large object float on water while a small object sinks?

because a large object displaces more water, whether an object floats or not is a matter of whether the object that's in the water weighs more than the water it pushes away (water is 1 KG/DM^3, or 1000 KG/M^3 a small metal ball will therefore sink, while a large metal boat will float(a small hollow metal ball will also float)---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The mass and volume of an object doesn't matter, its the density


Can a metal object float on the surface of water why how to show it with a simple experiment?

A metal object can float on the water provided it DISPLACES more weight of water than the object weighs itself. E.g a metal object has volume (including exterior) of 2 litres. 2 litres water weighs 2Kg. Therfore if object weigh 1.5 Kg it will float. See pyphagorous (sorry about spelling). Surface tension ; see relevant link to further information . For a simple experiment, take an ordinary tin can (empty of course), and place it, open side up, in a sink or bucket full of water. The can, made of metal, will float.


How will you determine if something will float in water?

If the object, when submerged in water, displaces a volume of water whose mass is greater than its own, then it will float. The density of the material from which it is made is not the key as can be seen from the fact that ships made of metal will float.


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.


Can you make metal float?

You can't make a bar of metal float on water, but boats with metal hulls float. Also, metal bars and other metal objects float on mercury.


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.


How do you make metal float but not on water?

I can make a iron nail float. Simply melt some lead and the iron will float on top of the lead. Your question seems to be with regard to how do Boats float and the answer is Bouyancy. The Boat displaces a volume of water and if the weight of the displaced water is less than the weight of the boat, the boat will float.


Which metal floats in water?

Sodium. Iron will float if it is a hollow structure according to Archimedes Principle that an object will float if it displaces an amount of water/fluid equal to the weight of the object. A ship will displace an amount of water equal to the weight of the ship, cargo and passengers combined.


Why a heavy object float in water?

The density of most of the woods are less than 1. That's why they are floating in water. The buoyancy force of water will help the woods to float on water if it's density is less than the density of water.