Two life preservers have identical volumes,one filled with Styrofoam and the other filled with sand.When each is worn by swimmers,one swimmer floats and the other sinks.Interestingly,the buoyant force is actually greater on the life preserver that
A)sinks.
B)floats.
C)same either way
D)none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The buoyant force depends on the volume of fluid displaced, not on the weight or density of the object. Both life preservers displace the same volume of water, but the one filled with sand sinks because its overall density is greater than that of water, despite experiencing the same or even greater buoyant force.

Two Life Preservers Have Identical Volumes,one Filled with Styrofoam and the Other