* Buoyant force: This is the upward force exerted by a fluid (like water or air) on an object submerged in it. It's directly related to the volume of fluid displaced by the object.
* Weight: This is the downward force due to gravity acting on the object's mass.
The Balance:
* When buoyant force = weight: The object is in equilibrium and floats.
* When buoyant force > weight: The object experiences a net upward force and rises until it reaches the surface and floats.
* When buoyant force < weight: The object experiences a net downward force and sinks.
In simpler terms: Imagine a rock in water. The water pushes up on the rock (buoyant force), but gravity pulls the rock down (weight). If the water's push is weaker than gravity's pull, the rock sinks.
