Here's why:
* Density is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume.
* Buoyancy is the upward force exerted by a fluid on an object submerged in it.
* Archimedes' Principle states that the buoyant force on an object submerged in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.
When an object floats, it means the buoyant force acting on it is equal to or greater than its weight. This happens because:
1. The object displaces a volume of water equal to its own volume.
2. Since the object's density is lower than water, the weight of the displaced water is greater than the weight of the object itself.
3. This creates a net upward buoyant force, causing the object to float.
Example: A piece of wood floats in water because the wood is less dense than water. The wood displaces its own volume of water, but that volume of water weighs more than the wood itself, resulting in an upward buoyant force.
