A 13 newton object is placed in a container of fluid. If the fluid exerts a 60 newton buoyant (upward) force on the object, will the object float or sink? Why?

Question

parthkohli · Answer

If the upward force is more the downward force, then the object will accelerate upwards. What do you think?

mrnood · Answer

Perhaps your confusion is due to the fact that, in order for the buoyant force to be greater than the weight of the object, the object must be forcibly immersed under the fluid.
Imagine pushing a football under water - the buoyant (upward) force is greater than the weight, so it will accelerate to the surface. It will come to rest, floating on the surface, in such a way that the buoyant force exactly equals the weight.
(remember -- the buoyancy force is equal to the weight of the water displaced - so the whole ball immersed has a higher buoyancy force than the ball floating only partly immersed..)