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Since density is proportional to it's mass and the ability to float is inversely proportional to it's volume, an object that's heavy will sink and an object that's light should float. An object that has some surface volume should float, while an object that has little surface volume should sink.

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11y ago
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5mo ago

An object will float in water if it has a lower density than the water. This means that the weight of the water displaced by the object is greater than the weight of the object itself, causing it to float. buoyant force helps keep the object afloat.

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Q: Why might an object float in water?
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Continue Learning about Physics

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.


What needs to be equal in order for an object to float in water?

The weight of the object must be equal to the weight of the water it displaces in order for the object to float in water. This is known as Archimedes' principle. If the object is less dense than water, it will float; if it is more dense, it will sink.


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.


What determines and objects ability to float in water?

An object's ability to float in water is determined by its density relative to the density of water. If an object is less dense than water, it will float. If an object is more dense than water, it will sink. The shape and size of the object also play a role in determining its ability to float.


What is the size of an object determines whether it will float water?

The density of the object compared to the density of water determines if it will float. An object will float if its density is lower than that of water. The size of the object does not directly determine if it will float, but the overall density of the object.

Related questions

Can you put salt in water to make an object float?

Yes, adding salt to water increases its density, which can make some objects that would normally sink, like eggs, float. By altering the density of the water, the buoyant force exerted on the object can be increased to make it 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 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.


What needs to be equal in order for an object to float in water?

The weight of the object must be equal to the weight of the water it displaces in order for the object to float in water. This is known as Archimedes' principle. If the object is less dense than water, it will float; if it is more dense, it will sink.


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.


What determines and objects ability to float in water?

An object's ability to float in water is determined by its density relative to the density of water. If an object is less dense than water, it will float. If an object is more dense than water, it will sink. The shape and size of the object also play a role in determining its ability to float.


What is the size of an object determines whether it will float water?

The density of the object compared to the density of water determines if it will float. An object will float if its density is lower than that of water. The size of the object does not directly determine if it will float, but the overall density of the object.


What causes an object to float or sink?

An object will float if it is less dense than the fluid it is placed in, causing the buoyant force to be greater than the object's weight. An object will sink if it is denser than the fluid, making the buoyant force less than the object's weight.


What will an object less dense then water do when placed in water float or sink?

float


Why can an object float in water?

An object can float in water if it is less dense than the water it displaces. This creates an upward buoyant force that opposes the object's weight, allowing it to float. Objects like wood or plastic tend to float in water because they are less dense than water.


What is the density of an object to float in water?

An object will float in water if its density is less than the density of water, which is 1 g/cm^3. This means that the weight of the object is less than the weight of the water it displaces, allowing it to float.