A spheres are made of wood - the first is of a variety of wood whose density is equal to that of water, while the second is of a variety whose density is greater than that of water. These spheres have the same volume, and the first remains wherever it is placed in the water (so it is effectively suspended in mid-water). The second rests on the bottom, being more dense than water. Compare the buoyant forces on the two spheres.
A) The force on the second is zero, and therefore less than that on the first, which is non-zero.
B) The force on the second is non-zero and is less than that on the first.
C) They are identical
D) Nothing specifically can be concluded without knowing exactly the densities of the spheres.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The buoyant force on an object submerged in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object, which depends on the volume of the object and not its density. Since both spheres have the same volume and displace the same amount of water, the buoyant forces on them are identical.

A Spheres Are Made of Wood - the First Is