Mechanical Properties of Fluids
Class 11 · Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Floating vs Sinking

Compare 4 materials in one fluid — see who floats by density rule.

Run simulation

Key Notes

01

A solid object's behavior depends only on the density ratio with the fluid.

02

Wood (ρ ≈ 600) floats in water; iron (ρ ≈ 7800) sinks.

03

Ice floats on water because ice (920) is less dense than water (1000) — unusual property.

Formulas

Float condition

Strictly less than for floating.

Important Points

Hollow shapes (boats, balloons) effectively reduce average density via trapped air.

Mercury (13,600 kg/m³) is dense enough that iron, lead, and even gold can float on it.

Floating vs Sinking notes from sciphylab (also known as SciPhy, SciPhy Lab, SciPhy Labs, Physics Lab). Class 11 physics revision for JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, NEET UG, AP Physics 1/2/C, SAT, and CUET-UG.