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Question
When you drop a coin in a glass of water, it sinks, but when you place a bigger wooden block in water, it floats. Explain.
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Answer
The coin sinks because gravity on it is more than the buoyant force; the wooden block floats because the two forces balance.
Explanation
- For the coin, the downward gravitational force is greater than the upward buoyant force, so it sinks.
- For the wooden block, the buoyant force is enough to balance gravity, so it floats.
- Whether an object floats or sinks depends on these two forces (and density), not just its size.
Sinking or floating depends on gravity versus the buoyant force.
← Back to concept: 5.6 Floating and Sinking
