Floating Bodies


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Floating Bodies

Floating Bodies:  If the weight of the submerged object is greater than the buoyant force, the object will sink. If the weight is equal to the buoyant force acting up on the submerged object, it will remain at any level, like a fish. If the buoyant force is greater than the weight of the completely submerged object, it will rise to  the surface and float.

To understand buoyancy the meaning of the term volume of liquid displaced should be clearly understood. If a stone is placed in a container that is full of water, some water will overflow as shown in submerged object always displace a volume of lquid equal to its own volume.

Buoyant force is also called upthrust. Upthrust depends on the density of the liquid, not on the density of the object.

Floating or Sinking of Objects in Liquid:

When an object is immersed in a liquid, then following two forces act on it:

  • Weight of the object which acts in downward direction, i.e. it tends to pull down the object.
  • Buoyant force (upthrust) which acts in upward direction, i.e. it tends to push up the object.
  • Whether an object will float or sink in a liquid, depends on the relative magnitudes of those two forces which act on the object in opposite directions. There are three conditions of floating and sinking of objects. These are:

    (i) If the buoyant force or upthrust exerted by the liquid is less than the weight of the object, the obejct will sink in the liquid.

    (ii) If the buoyant force is equal to the weight of the object, the object will float in the liquid.

    (iii) If the buoyant force is more than the weight of the object, the object will rise in the liquid and the float.

    Sample Questions
    (More Questions for each concept available in Login)
    Question : 1

    Which of the following are correct :

    (a) If the weight of the submerged object is greater than the buoyant force, the object will sink.

    (b) If the weight of the submerged object is greater than the buoyant force, the object will float..

    Right Option : A
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    Question : 2

    When a ship floats on water

    Right Option : B
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    Question : 3

    A man is sitting in a boat which is floating in pond. If the man drinks some water from the pond, the level of water in the pond will

    Right Option : C
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