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Why Does an Object Float or Sink When Placed on the Surface of Water?
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 25th, 2023
Have you ever wondered why does an object float or sink when placed on the surface of water? Well, it is due to the density of the object and the water. When the object’s density is greater than the density of water, the object will sink. On the contrary, if the object’s density is less than the density of water, the object will float.
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Answer:
An object floats or sinks when placed in water due to its density or Buoyancy
Another crucial concept that you must know about is the buoyant force or buoyancy. An object sinks or floats due to this force called buoyancy. When an object is put in water, it experiences an upward push or an upthrust. This force is called buoyancy. Hence, whether the object will sink or float will depend largely on the buoyant force and the weight of the object, which act in opposite directions.
Summary:
Why Does an Object Float or Sink When Placed on the Surface of Water?
An object will float or sink when placed on the surface of the water is determined by the density of the object. If the density of the object is greater than water, it will sink. In contrast, if the density is less than water, it will float. Buoyancy is a force that provides an upward push to the object when it is immersed in water. Buoyancy and the object’s weight act in opposite directions and determine whether the object will sink or float.
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