If an object floats on water, what does this indicate about its density compared to the density of water?

• A. The object's density is less than the density of water.
• B. The object's density is equal to the density of water.
• C. The object's density is greater than the density of water.
• D. The object's density is unrelated to whether it floats on water.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the principle of buoyancy, which states that an object will float if the buoyant force (upward force) exerted by the fluid equals the weight of the object.
2. Understand that the buoyant force depends on the volume of fluid displaced by the object and the density of the fluid, according to Archimedes' principle.
3. Recognize that if an object floats, it means it is less dense than the fluid it is placed in, because it does not sink but is supported by the fluid.
4. Express this relationship mathematically: if \(\rho_{object}\) is the density of the object and \(\rho_{water}\) is the density of water, then for floating, \(\rho_{object} < \rho_{water}\).
5. Conclude that the object's density must be less than the density of water for it to float on water.