Question

Explain in detail the concept of floating and sinking on the basis of the density of an object as compared to the density of the liquid in which it is immersed?

Answer 1

Hint: The floating or sinking of the object depends on the densities of both the object and the liquid. It does not depend upon the density of anyone but depends on both their densities. We can also explain the floating or sinking concepts with the help of relative densities.

Complete step-by-step solution:
The concept of floating and sinking can be explained in many ways. But in the question, it is specifically mentioned to explain the concept on the basis of density comparison of the objects.
The object will float in the liquid, in which it is immersed, or will the object sink in the liquid in which it is submerged, not only depends upon the density of the object or that of the liquid alone but depends upon the densities of both the liquid and the object.
If the density of the object immersed in the liquid is more than the density of the liquid itself, the object will sink in the liquid. On the other hand, if the density of the object immersed in the liquid is less than the density of the liquid itself, the object will float on the liquid.
Actually, it depends upon the relative densities of the object and the liquid, which decides whether the object will float or sink in the liquid.
The relative density of an object or a liquid is the density of that object or liquid relative to a reference density. This reference density, most of the time, is taken as water. Hence, we can say that the relative density of water is 1.
Now, whether the given object will float or sink in the given liquid depends upon their relative densities. If the object has a lower relative density than the liquid itself, then the object will float in the liquid, or else it will sink.

Note: An object can also float in a liquid even if the density of the object is more than the liquid. This can happen only if the liquid displaced by the object will be more than the weight of the object itself. This will create more buoyant force than the weight of the body and thus will help the body to float.