Specific gravity is the ratio of an object's density to that of water. What does a specific gravity of exactly 1 mean for an object placed in water?
AIt floats with most of it above water
BIt sinks straight to the bottom quickly
CIt floats with half of it above water
DIt stays suspended wherever it is put
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. It stays suspended wherever it is put
1. A specific gravity of 1 means the object and the water have the same density.
2. The weight of the water it displaces then exactly matches its own weight.
3. The buoyant force and the weight cancel, so there is no net push either way.
4. The object therefore stays suspended at whatever depth it is placed, which is the state scuba divers aim for when they hover.
5. Floating partly above the surface needs a specific gravity below 1, and sinking needs one above 1.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 11 "Fluid Statics", section 11.7 Archimedes' Principle_
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