• Question: Are humans naturally boyant because they contain a lot of air?

    Asked by 9roda to Andrew, Ash, Gem, Paige, SJ on 25 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Gemma Staite

      Gemma Staite answered on 25 Jun 2012:

      Yes, it is the air cavities (primarily the lungs) which largely account for the buoyancy of humans in water. Body fat is also pretty buoyant and these two together account for the buoyancy.

    • Photo: SarahJayne Boulton

      SarahJayne Boulton answered on 26 Jun 2012:

      We’re also loads more buoyant in a special place called the Dead Sea!

      This is because the water there has much more salt dissolved in it, making the water incredibly dense compared to water at our beaches. This increase in water density creates more of an upthrust force on things that are floating in it compared to normal sea water meaning you feel like you’re floating higher in the water!

    • Photo: Paige Brown

      Paige Brown answered on 26 Jun 2012:

      Good question!!! Air in our lungs and body fat keeps us buoyant! But if youare very muscular without much fat and you exhale under water, you might find that you sink more quickly!

Comments