A common 5-liter metal can will float in air if it is
A) thrown high enough into the air.
B) evacuated of air.
C) filled with a very large amount of helium.
D) Nonsense! Unless the displaced air weighs more than the can and its contents, the can will not float in air.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of buoyancy dictates that an object will float if it displaces a volume of fluid (or gas) that weighs more than the object itself. For a metal can to float in air, the weight of the air displaced by the can must be greater than the combined weight of the can and its contents. Options A, B, and C do not guarantee this condition.

A Common 5-Liter Metal Can Will Float in Air If