Final answer:
The correct answer is option b) Buoyant force.The rate of submergence of a pier is determined by the buoyant force.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Archimedes' principle, when an object is submerged in a fluid, it experiences a buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. This force is directed upwards and can cause the object to submerge less if the buoyant force is greater than the object’s weight, leading to floating, or it can make the object entirely submerged if the buoyant force is less than the object's weight, leading to sinking. The rate of submergence would refer to how much the buoyant force causes the pier to submerge or emerge relative to the water level. Atmospheric pressure, gravitational pull, and surface tension do not directly dictate the rate of submergence, although they do play roles in other fluid-related phenomena.
When a pier is submerged in water, it experiences a buoyant force. According to Archimedes' principle, the buoyant force on an object in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. If the buoyant force is greater than the weight of the pier, the pier will rise. If the buoyant force is less than the weight of the pier, the pier will sink.
For example, if you have a wooden pier floating on water, the buoyant force is responsible for keeping the pier afloat. The force is exerted in an upward direction and balances the weight of the pier, allowing it to remain partially or completely submerged.