Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam Practice 2026 – Comprehensive Prep

The principle of buoyancy relates to fluid mechanics by describing the upward force experienced by an object submerged in a fluid, which is why it can float. This principle is fundamentally based on Archimedes’ principle, which states that an object submerged in a fluid experiences a buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. When an object is placed in a fluid, if this buoyant force is greater than or equal to the weight of the object, it results in the object floating. Therefore, this principle effectively explains why certain objects, depending on their density relative to the fluid around them, will float rather than sink.

In contrast, other options either misinterpret this principle or state facts that do not directly relate to buoyancy. For example, while objects may sink if they are denser than the fluid, the issue at hand specifically pertains to buoyant forces allowing objects to float. Additionally, pressure differences across the object are a factor in buoyancy but do not fully encompass the principle as described. Finally, buoyancy is indeed related to the weight of the fluid, specifically to how much fluid is displaced, making the last choice inaccurate.