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things float in air because of density

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Why does air make things float?

The only things that "float" in air, are things that are lighter than air, and this is because they displace a quantity of air that weighs more than the thing that is floating. This is also true of things that float in water or any other fluid. As for heavier-than-air things that "float" (fly), these are kept aloft by the motion of air, or by the motion of the thing through the air, which amounts to the same thing. In either case, air is passing the flying thing (for instance, an airplane wing) above and below it, creating low pressure above and high pressure below, thereby lifting the thing off the ground. This works only for things that are aerodynamically correct, and these are called airfoils - an airplane wing, a helicopter rotor and a kite are common examples.


Do things float in alcohol?

Yes. For every fluid, there are things that float in it ... they just have to be things that are less dense than the fluid. That's how stones float in mercury, logs float in water, and hot balloons float in air.


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.


Which property of water allows things to float?

The property of water that allows things to float is buoyancy. Water exerts an upward force on objects placed in it, which counteracts the force of gravity pulling the objects down. This buoyant force is what allows objects to float in water.


Do small things float?

Whether small things float or not depends on their density. If the density of an object is less than the density of the fluid it is placed in (such as water), then it will float. However, if the density of the object is greater than the density of the fluid, it will sink.

Related Questions

Why do things float or sink?

Air resistance.


Why do most substances float in air if they flow in water?

I suspect that "flow" is meant to also be "float", but even with that substitution, it just changes the question from nonsensical to counterfactual.Most things that float in water do not float in air.


What things make you float?

There are many things that make you float such as a bin or large container turned upside down. The best things that make you float are things with air trapped inside them. These things may be large empty water containers from a water dispencer or lots of bubble wrap or even a coat that has air in the lining.


Why does air make things float?

The only things that "float" in air, are things that are lighter than air, and this is because they displace a quantity of air that weighs more than the thing that is floating. This is also true of things that float in water or any other fluid. As for heavier-than-air things that "float" (fly), these are kept aloft by the motion of air, or by the motion of the thing through the air, which amounts to the same thing. In either case, air is passing the flying thing (for instance, an airplane wing) above and below it, creating low pressure above and high pressure below, thereby lifting the thing off the ground. This works only for things that are aerodynamically correct, and these are called airfoils - an airplane wing, a helicopter rotor and a kite are common examples.


The upward force of a liquid or air on an object that helps it float?

The force that makes things float is called buoyancy.


How do things float?

things float because they are less denser then the water. second things do not float, the molecules from the water support the molecules from the thing on the water. that is how something heavy can float. it just has to be boyent meaning it is spread out enough so there is more water molecules to hold it up. if you mean in the air it is the same concept.


Do things float in alcohol?

Yes. For every fluid, there are things that float in it ... they just have to be things that are less dense than the fluid. That's how stones float in mercury, logs float in water, and hot balloons float in air.


How does helium help balloons?

Helium is lighter than air, hence it will rise up in air, making things float up in the air.


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.


Which property of water allows things to float?

The property of water that allows things to float is buoyancy. Water exerts an upward force on objects placed in it, which counteracts the force of gravity pulling the objects down. This buoyant force is what allows objects to float in water.


Do small things float?

Whether small things float or not depends on their density. If the density of an object is less than the density of the fluid it is placed in (such as water), then it will float. However, if the density of the object is greater than the density of the fluid, it will sink.


Why do you float lower when you breath?

When you breath out under water, you are releasing the air from your lungs. Air is far less dense than water, which is why things that are filled with air float. So if you breath in, and then go under water you will float toward the surface. However, if you breath out and release that air in your lungs, you lose the buoyancy that the air was giving you. Thus causing you to sink...