2006-06-19 05:49:02 · 11 answers · asked by jj23 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Amazing. None of you know why things float.
It IS the pressure gradient in water in a gravitational field that causes thing to float. It causes a net upward force on the object, and if this is larger than the objects weight it floats. From the pressure gradient you can calculate Archimedes law.
In space in free fall there is no pressure gradient. So objects do not float. But they do not sink either. Why would they? There is no force on them.
2006-06-19 10:28:07 · answer #1 · answered by Epidavros 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pressure change is caused by gravity. One can think that if there where no pressure change, it would be cause there was no gravity. And with no gravity, nothing would float.
Else, you can think like this: The floating force on everything that is in water or any other liquid is caused by the higher pressure from behind, and hence also greater force. So, the force hence becomes positive in upward direction, and hence, nothing would float if it wasn't for the increasing pressure at deeper depths.
2006-06-19 13:38:38 · answer #2 · answered by User1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although it is impossible for the pressure in a liquid to not increase with depth I dont see how this would cause somthing to not float on it. Bouancy is related to the mass of liquid that an object displaces and therefore indepent of pressure
2006-06-19 12:55:19 · answer #3 · answered by Aaron G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you are describing is space. The pull towards the bottom of the ocean is caused by gravity and the pressure increase just causes resistance to sinking. In space with no gravitational pull, everything floats....
2006-06-19 12:54:05 · answer #4 · answered by yes_its_me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If its less dense than the liquid an object will float. Pressure doesn't matter.
2006-06-19 12:54:03 · answer #5 · answered by frofus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. If the mass of the thing is less than the mass of the liquid it displaces, then the nature of the liquid (that is, its compressibility) is irrelevant. The thing will float.
2006-06-19 13:57:04 · answer #6 · answered by Grendle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because in order for that to happen the liquid would have to be massless, and as such it could create no buoyant force.
2006-06-19 12:58:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, I think...
doesnt floating depend on desity, not pressure?
foam is less dense then water which is less dense than lead
2006-06-19 12:54:38 · answer #8 · answered by okiedokey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not a very good question in Physics.
2006-06-19 14:38:56 · answer #9 · answered by asimovll 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
VERY VERY GOOD QUESTION. NEXT QUESTION.
2006-06-19 13:52:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋