Final answer:
Logs float in water because they have a lower density than water. Even though a log may be heavier than a stick, it has a greater volume, resulting in a lower density. The weight of the water displaced by the log is greater than its own weight, allowing it to float.
Step-by-step explanation:
Logs float in water because they have a lower density than water. Density is the mass of an object divided by its volume. Even though a log may be heavier than a stick, it has a greater volume, which results in a lower density.
When an object is placed in water, it experiences an upward force called buoyancy. The buoyant force is equal to the weight of the water displaced by the object. If the weight of the water displaced is greater than the weight of the object, the object will float. Since logs have a lower density than water, the weight of the water they displace is greater than their own weight, allowing them to float.
For example, if you take a small stone and a large sponge, the stone will sink because it has a greater density, while the sponge will float because it has a lower density. Similarly, a log with a greater weight can still float in water because its density is lower than that of the water.