2006-12-02 17:42:37 · 8 answers · asked by *fireflies* 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Another thing besides the density difference is the surface tension of the water. Since you are on your back, you displace more water than you would in a ball. This is the same principle that allows boats to float even though they are several tons. If this were simply a matter of density difference, then you would float in any position and not just on you back.
2006-12-02 17:51:38 · answer #1 · answered by coldfire5418 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How can a ship made out of steel (which is much denser than water or a human body) float?
Displacement! The ship is built in such a way that the amount of water it displaces is greater than the weight of the ship. Let the water into the ship and it will sink.
The same thing applies to humans. Fill the lungs (and other body cavities) with water and the body will sink... until decomposition fills it back up with various gases and it will rise again... until further decomposition tears it apart and it will sink and stay down.
2006-12-02 17:51:29 · answer #2 · answered by sagacity_ron 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Humans, in general, do not have greater density than water. If you are in a pool, you float because humans are naturally buoyant. This is because fat and air, along with other things in our body, have less density than water, and will float. Any object with greater density than water will sink in water. Any object with equal density than water will neither float nor sink. Any object with less density than water will float.
2006-12-02 17:47:19 · answer #3 · answered by ritifo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is because of bouency
it allows large ships to float even though metal is denser than water
the amount of surface area touching the water by the body is enough to keep it afloat
2006-12-02 17:49:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not, the average density in our body is lower because of the air in our lungs. Also, fat is less dense than water, and the more you have, the more bouyant you are.
2006-12-02 17:46:46 · answer #5 · answered by Darcia 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is simple physics - your body displaces a certain weight equal to the weight of the water that is displaced - if your body is heavier, you sink - if it's lighter, you float.
Hence, it's total displacement is lighter than an equal volume of water and you float.
That's why mobsters have to use the proverbial "cement boots" when they dispose of their competitors :-)
2006-12-02 18:02:51 · answer #6 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of the air in their lungs and the fat on their bodies.
2006-12-02 17:53:17 · answer #7 · answered by KIT J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
buoyancy
2006-12-02 17:48:44 · answer #8 · answered by Julianna L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋