General question about floating/sinking objects

[astonmartin]

Ok so I understand that whether an object floats or sinks depends on its density vs the density of the solution, and an object that neither floats nor sinks (sorta hovers in the middle) probably has the same density as the solution.

My question is: is there any difference between an object that "hovers" 10 ft below the surface of the water vs one that reaches equilibrium 20ft below (neither touching the bottom of course)?

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi astonmartin!

… is there any difference between an object that "hovers" 10 ft below the surface of the water vs one that reaches equilibrium 20ft below (neither touching the bottom of course)?

Not really …

the extra pressure might crush it a little, so that might change its volume,

but water itself is generally taken to be incompressible, so a rigid object with the same density as water should "hover" at whatever depth you carefully place it.

 

[qraal]

Ok so I understand that whether an object floats or sinks depends on its density vs the density of the solution, and an object that neither floats nor sinks (sorta hovers in the middle) probably has the same density as the solution.

My question is: is there any difference between an object that "hovers" 10 ft below the surface of the water vs one that reaches equilibrium 20ft below (neither touching the bottom of course)?

Water is slightly denser at that depth, a tiny bit due to compression and a bit more due to its temperature, which falls off rapidly with depth. That might make a difference, but a subtle one.