A steel ball sinks in water but floats in a pool of mercury,which is much denser than water.Where is the buoyant force exerted on the ball by the liquid greater?
A)floating on the mercury
B)submerged in the water
C)It is the same in both cases.
D)It cannot be determined from the information given.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Buoyant force is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. Since the pool of mercury is much denser than water, the volume of mercury displaced by the steel ball is less compared to the volume of water displaced when the ball is submerged in water. Therefore, the buoyant force exerted on the ball by the mercury is greater, making it float on the mercury.

A Steel Ball Sinks in Water but Floats in a Pool