Question

What is true when an object floats in water? A. When an object floats, it exceeds the volume of water available. B. When an object floats, it displaces a volume of water equal to its own volume. C. When an object floats, it does not displace its entire volume.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. When an object floats, it does not displace its entire volume.

Explanation:

Buoyancy can be defined as an upward force which is created by the water displaced by an object.

According to Archimede's principle, it is directly proportional to the amount (weight) of water that is being displaced by an object.

Basically, the greater the amount of water an object displaces; the greater is the force of buoyancy pushing the object up. The buoyancy of an object is given by the formula;

$Fb = pgV$

$But, \; V = Ah$

$Hence, \; Fb = pgAh$

Where;

Fb = buoyant force of a liquid acting on an object.

g = acceleration due to gravity.

p = density of the liquid.

v = volume of the liquid displaced.

h = height of liquid (water) displaced by an object.

A = surface area of the floating object.

The unit of measurement for buoyancy is Newton (N).

Additionally, the density of a fluid is directly proportional to the buoyant force acting on it i.e as the density of a liquid decreases, buoyancy decreases and vice-versa.

Furthermore, an object such as a boat, ship, ferry, canoe, etc, are able to float because the volume of water they displace weigh more than their own weight. Thus, if a boat or any physical object weighs more than the volume of water it displaces, it would sink; otherwise, it floats.

In conclusion, the true statement is that when an object floats, it does not displace its entire volume.