Density relative to water is the primary determinant of whether an organism floats or submerges. Animals with a density greater than that of water will tend to sink. For example, a rock, composed of dense minerals, displaces a smaller weight of water than its own weight, resulting in a net downward force. Consequently, it descends in the water column.
Understanding the principles governing buoyancy and density is fundamental in fields such as marine biology and naval architecture. These principles influence habitat distribution, locomotion, and the design of submersible vehicles. Historically, observations of objects sinking and floating led to the development of Archimedes’ principle, a cornerstone of fluid mechanics.
