105k views
2 votes
Paper and cork float on water because they have low ?

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Paper and cork float on water due to their low density, which is less than that of water. Besides density, surface tension due to water's cohesive forces also plays a role in keeping light objects afloat on water.

Step-by-step explanation:

Paper and cork float on water because they have low density. Objects or substances that have a lower density than the fluid they are in tend to float due to the buoyant force exerted on them. For instance, oil floats on water, a hot-air balloon floats in the atmosphere, and a bit of cork can float in wine.

This principle is also why icebergs float in the ocean. In addition to density, the phenomenon of surface tension also plays a crucial role in allowing objects to float. This is seen when a small paper clip or a needle is placed gently on the surface of water and it doesn't sink due to the cohesion of water molecules forming a 'skin' at the surface, strong enough to hold light objects without breaking.

User Abhijeet Pathak
by
8.3k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.