Yes, buoyant force can determine whether an object floats, sinks, or remains suspended in a fluid. If the buoyant force is greater than the weight of the object, it will float. If the weight of the object exceeds the buoyant force, it will sink. If they are equal, the object will remain suspended at a certain depth.
These questions cover fundamental aspects of buoyant force and its application in various scenarios involving objects immersed in fluids.
Can buoyant force cause objects to float or sink?
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Yes, buoyant force can cause objects to float or sink. This force, exerted by a fluid on an object immersed in it, acts upward against the force of gravity. If the buoyant force is greater than the object’s weight, the object will float. Conversely, if the buoyant force is less than the object’s weight, the object will sink. The key factor determining this is the object’s density relative to the fluid’s density. Objects less dense than the fluid float, while those more dense sink.