Why Do Some People Float in Water and Others Sink?

Some people float because they are less dense than water. Imagine your body is like a balloon, if you have more air (like when you take a deep breath), you float easier. If you're full of food and water, you sink. It's all about how much space you take up in the water.

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Examples

A balloon floats because it has a lot of air inside it. Your lungs are like balloons, more air means you float.
If you're full after eating, you might sink in the pool. It's like filling up a balloon with food instead of air.
Fat is lighter than muscle, so people who are fatter float easier.

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Categories: Physics · buoyancy· density· water· science· physics