BRAINCAKE

Floating and Sinking

Edexcel AS-level PhysicsFluidsLesson 4 of 15

An object will sink if the upthrust is less than the weight.

The object will accelerate downwards to the bottom of the container as there is a resultant force.

An object will float if the upthrust is equal and opposite to the object's weight.

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Key terms in this lesson

upthrust
The upward force exerted on an object submerged, fully or partly, in a fluid, equal to the weight of fluid displaced.
equilibrium
A state in which the resultant force and resultant moment on an object are both zero, so it has no tendency to accelerate or turn.

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