Water Weight

Here are some facts about the physics of fluids (known as “hydrostatics” in this case) and their practical application to swimming. Objects actually weigh the same in water as on land. However, when submerged in water, there is an upward force (called buoyancy), which opposes its weight. If the force of buoyancy equals its weight, the object will float. Water weighs about 63 Lbs. per cubic foot. If an object of a given volume displaces a volume of water that weighs the same as what the object weighs, it will be 100% buoyant. This bit of physics might be a comforting fact to those who are just learning to swim and are afraid of sinking: The volume-to-weight ratio for most people is such that a person will become 100% buoyant when they are submerged at chin level -and they will not sink any further. Happy Swimming! Dolphin 2 :D

Here are some facts about the physics of fluids (known as “hydrostatics” in this case) and their practical application to swimming. Objects actually weigh the same in water as on land. However, when submerged in water, there is an upward force (called buoyancy), which opposes its weight. If the force of buoyancy equals its weight, the object will float. Water weighs about 63 Lbs. per cubic foot. If an object of a given volume displaces a volume of water that weighs the same as what the object weighs, it will be 100% buoyant. This bit of physics might be a comforting fact to those who are just learning to swim and are afraid of sinking: The volume-to-weight ratio for most people is such that a person will become 100% buoyant when they are submerged at chin level -and they will not sink any further. Happy Swimming! Dolphin 2 :D