Floating and Sinking in a Liquid

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    Floating Liquid
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conditions under which a container can float in a liquid, particularly focusing on the relationship between the density of the container and the density of the liquid. Participants explore the properties of various liquids and the implications of filling a container with different substances.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a liquid can be found that would allow a submerged container to float, emphasizing that the liquid must be the reason for the container's buoyancy.
  • Another participant seeks clarification on what would be inside the container if it were empty, suggesting possibilities like air, vacuum, or the same material as the container walls.
  • A participant asserts that if the container is light enough, any liquid less dense than water, such as ethanol, could enable it to float.
  • Another participant explains that the ability of an object to float depends on the density of the object relative to the density of the medium, stating that if the object's density is greater than that of the medium, it will sink, and if equal, it will remain suspended.
  • It is noted that if a container is sinking without any liquid, its density must be greater than that of water, suggesting that no liquid can make it float in that case.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conditions necessary for a container to float, with some proposing specific liquids and others emphasizing the importance of density relationships. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact conditions and properties required for buoyancy.

Contextual Notes

There are assumptions regarding the density of the container and the liquids discussed, as well as the specific conditions under which buoyancy is evaluated. The discussion does not resolve the complexities of these relationships.

Messiri
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This seems to be a relatively simple question, yet I'm not sure of the answer.

A balloon filled with helium gas floats in air. If I submerged a balloon or container in a liquid (e.g. water), is there a liquid with which I can fill the container so as to make it float to the surface. What kind of a liquid would this be? What kind of properties must it have in relation to the water? Specifically this liquid should be the reason the container floats - without the liquid the container sinks.

Looking forward to your responses.
 
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Messiri said:
Specifically this liquid should be the reason the container floats - without the liquid the container sinks.

What would be in the container if the liquid were not in it? Air? Hard vacuum? The same material that the container walls are made of?
 
Nugatory said:
What would be in the container if the liquid were not in it? Air? Hard vacuum? The same material that the container walls are made of?

Anything that would make it sink.

Essentially my question is...if I have a (lets say metallic container) is there a liquid that can make the container float in water (or other liquid)?

Basically, what relation between the two media mentioned above (that don't include air) determines whether or not the container will float?
 
If the container is light enough, then any liquid less dense then water would result in the container floating, such as ethanol.
 
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Whether or not an object, any object, will float or not in a medium depends on the density (mass/volume) of the object as well as that of the medium. If the density of the object is lesser than that of the medium, it will float. If greater, it will sink. If the densities are equal, the object will remain where it is.

If your container is sinking without any liquid in it, it's density is more than the density of water. In that case, no liquid you fill can make it float. It will always sink.
 
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