Question 3
Why does an object float or sink when placed on the surface of water?

Open in App

Solution

Archimedes' principle states that the upward buoyant force exerted on a body, partially or fully immersed in a fluid, is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced.

An object floats in water if it displaces water equal to its weight. In this case, the weight of the body is balanced by buoyant force.

However, if it can't displace water equal to its weight, the buoyant force is less than the weight of the body and it sinks.

Suggest Corrections

Similar questions

Question 3
Why does an object float or sink when placed on the surface of water?

why does an object float or sink when placed in the surface of the liquid

Q. Why does an object float or sink when put in water?

(a) What are fluids ? Name two common fluids.
(b) State Archimedes' principle.
(c) When does an object float or sink when placed on the surface of a liquid ?

Q. Consider an object that floats in water but sinks in oil. When object floats in water, half of it submerged. If one slowly poured oil on the top of the water surface so that it completely cove the object, the object

Join BYJU'S Learning Program

Question 3 Why does an object float or sink when placed on the surface of water?

Question 3
Why does an object float or sink when placed on the surface of water?