why can't I float in water?
480591
Not everyone can float. Usually thin people cannot. Due to the fact of not much body fat to displace the water. Larger people can, becuse of body fat. I am not picking on large people. Just stating a fact. I too am a large frame person with about 30% body fat.
1065345
The question is...Can anyone walk on water???? NOT!!!!!!
870325
I suggest you build an anti-gravity lifter device that is able to float in the air without anything supporting it.\n\nhttp://www.amazing1.com/grav.htm
865673
For similar reasons why ice bergs float - it has to do with buoyancy and and density and displacement of water and what happens to the molecules when water freezes.  It is a bit difficult to explain it in sixth grade terms.  These sites may help you.
888797
We weight the same, regardless of whether we're in water or not.  Buoyancy and density give us the feeling of weighing less in water.  You would get the same answer if you filled that tub with 150 lbs. of rocks.  Rock just happens to be a lot more dense than water, and not as buoyant as the human body :)\n\nVolckhart\nhttp://www.zeuslegacy.com/register.php?ref=2854
545709
I can't even swim, and yet I keep trying.
64876
Buoyancy is simple.  If the weight of the liquid moved by insertion of an object into the liquid is greater than the weight of the object, it will float.  That is why the size of ships are measured in displacement.  The "Displacement" refers to the weight of water that is "moved out of the way".\n\nThink of it this way - take two identical spheres with the exact same outer material and thinkness.  One is hallow, and one is filled with lead.  Of course, we know that the one filled with lead will sink?  Why?  Because it weighs more than the water that is being moved out of the way.  How do you make it neutrally bouyant?  Simply fill it with enough lead that equals the weight of the water displaced by the sphere.\n\nThis is called Archimedes Law of Bouyancy.  Google/Yahoo search it and you should find some illustrations to help explain.
80464
the very fundamental: the human body floats in the water, try this yourself by staying calm (and don't cheat by stepping on the bottom! lol). then slowly try to move your hands and feet in order to push your body towards one direction. Needs a tiny bit of practice but you'll get it. It's very easy! good luck!
115658
It rides too high in the water. Since this is physics, remember that the ship displaces only as much water as would be equal to its weight, so the less it weighs, the less water it displaces, i.e. the higher it rides.  This can lead to all kinds of problems, including poor steering, unstable rolling, heaving, etc.  That is why ships take on ballast when they don't have sufficient cargo.  Ship loading is a highly developed specialty.
1012948
keep kicking your legs and moving your arms, you'll stay floating on the surface that way then you just have to steer your body wherever you wanna go
791599
It is very simple. I used to be a swimmer and it happend to me many a time. It sounds a bit rediculous but you just tilt your head to the side where the water is, hen just jump up and down. It will be out in a matter of seconds. Trust me.
308963
To be free enough of pain to be able to swim again...I miss the feel of water moving over my body while I experience the closest thing to weightlessness I will ever get to feel. I haven't been able to swim, or even sit in a bathtub for almost 20 years...
392330
The ability of gasoline to float on water is not CALLED any of those.\n\nIt is an effect that arises from the specific gravity of gasoline being less than one.\n(this implies that the density of petrol is less than the density of water, and so petrol floats on water.)
152879
No, it will not.  The other answers to this question are on the right track, in that they point out that an object's density is the key thing in most situations, since if it is less dense than the fluid it is in, it will displace fluid equal to its weight before it is completely submerged, and hence float.\n\nBut in *this* problem, we are told from the outset that there is not enough water to be displaced.  Therefore, the object will displace all the water, all 1 lb. of it, and still not have displaced enough water to equal its weight.  Therefore, it will rest on the bottom, i.e. not float.
885671
DENSITY is the key.\n\nRemember, an aircraft carrier will float in water because it is less dense than the water.  To calculate density, divide mass - kilograms (m) by volume - cubic meters (v).\n\nPure water at 25 degrees Centigrade has a density of 998 kg/m^3 so any object with a density lower than this would float.  Higher would sink.\n\nInteresting note:  If you could find a body of water large enough, the planet Saturn would actually float in it since it is less dense.
73627
Molasses is more dense, so you would have more buoyancy than you would in water. Making it easier to swim in molasses.
925479
FLY like a BIRD!!!\nbecause swimming like a fish has restrictions... if there's no water.. you cant swim anymore... unlike flying... you will have unlimited access over things and creatures!!!!