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When a solid object is immersed in water, there is a loss in its weight. This loss is
Explanation
According to Archimedes' Principle, when a solid object is fully or partially immersed in a fluid, it experiences an upward buoyant force [1]. This buoyant force is exactly equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object [2]. Because this upward force acts against the downward force of gravity (the object's real weight), the object experiences an apparent loss of weight. The magnitude of this apparent weight reduction is precisely equal to the buoyant force, and therefore, equal to the weight of the water displaced. This relationship is fundamental in fluid mechanics for determining the density and specific gravity of objects. If the weight of the displaced water is less than the object's weight, it sinks; if equal, it floats [1].
Sources
- [1] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Exploring Forces > A step further > p. 76
- [2] https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-college-physics-1/xf557a762645cccc5:fluids/xf557a762645cccc5:buoyant-force/a/buoyant-force-and-archimedes-principle-article