Objects that float have something known as buoyancy which is an upward force that exists when the specific object has less density than the surrounding medium.
The mass of the object is important, but the displaced volume is what affects upward force.
Thus a cement canoe can float and a wooden boat can sink- if filled with water– since the effective volume decreases.
Also a ball of clay could be formed into an object with enough volume to float, but Prof. Kesten didn’t quite pull it off in class today while the cap did float- just the other guy and I predicted.
Leave a Reply