Physics · Forces and motion
Float or Sink? Density and Buoyancy
Whether something floats depends on its density compared with the liquid, not just on how heavy it is.
- Object density
- 0.92 g/cm³
- Liquid density
- 1 g/cm³
- Result
- Floats (92% under)
Liquid
Try this
- Why does ice float in water but iron sinks?
- Find a density that floats in water but sinks in kerosene.
- How much of a floating ice block stays under water?
Key ideas
- Density = mass ÷ volume.
- An object floats if it is less dense than the liquid.
- For a floating object, fraction under the liquid = density of object ÷ density of liquid.