Floatation of a body in water is due to –
**Core Concept**
The floatation of a body in water is governed by the principle of buoyancy, which states that an object will float if it is less dense than the surrounding fluid (water in this case). This is based on Archimedes' Principle, which describes the upward force exerted on an object partially or fully submerged in a fluid.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
When a body is submerged in water, it experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the water displaced by the body. If the body is less dense than water (typically around 1 g/cm^3), the buoyant force exceeds its weight, causing it to float. The density of the body is influenced by factors such as its composition, size, and shape. In the case of a human body, the presence of air-filled organs like the lungs and gastrointestinal tract can significantly reduce its overall density, making it more susceptible to floatation.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is not specified, but it is likely that a distractor would be a statement unrelated to the principle of buoyancy or the factors influencing an object's density.
*Option A* might suggest that floatation is due to some other force or mechanism, which is not the case.
**Why Option B is Incorrect**
*Option B* might suggest that the body's weight is the primary factor determining its floatability, which is incorrect because it is the body's density relative to water that matters.
**Why Option C is Incorrect**
*Option C* might imply that the body's shape or size is the sole determining factor for floatation, which is not accurate. While shape and size do influence the body's density, they are not the primary factors.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A useful mnemonic to remember the factors influencing an object's density is "SIZE" - Shape, Size, Internal structure, and External factors (such as the presence of air-filled organs in the human body).
**Correct Answer:** Not provided, but assuming the question is asking for the principle behind floatation, the correct answer would be: **Archimedes' Principle**