Diagram:
```
_________________________
/ \
| |
| Object |
|_________________________|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
___|___ Water ___|___
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
/_________________________\
Buoyant Force (Fb) ↑
↓ Gravity (Fg)
```
Forces:
1. Gravity (Fg): This is the force pulling the object downwards towards the center of the Earth. Its magnitude depends on the object's mass.
2. Buoyant Force (Fb): This is the upward force exerted by the water on the object. It is equal to the weight of the water displaced by the object.
Explanation:
* Floating means the object is in equilibrium, meaning the forces acting on it are balanced.
* Gravity pulls the object down, but the buoyant force pushes it upwards.
* When the buoyant force equals the force of gravity, the object floats. If the buoyant force is less than gravity, the object sinks.
Important Note: The buoyant force is always present when an object is submerged in a fluid. The key to floating is that the buoyant force is strong enough to counter the object's weight.
