If an object is neutrally buoyant in fresh water, what will happen when it is placed into salt water?

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When an object is neutrally buoyant in fresh water, it means that the object has the same density as the fresh water, allowing it to neither sink nor float. When this neutrally buoyant object is placed into salt water, which is denser than fresh water due to the dissolved salt, the object will experience an upward buoyant force that is greater than the gravitational force acting on it.

Because the object is already in equilibrium in fresh water, and the salt water's higher density increases the buoyant force, the object will start to float in the salt water. This floating occurs because the increased density of the salt water provides additional lift, allowing an object that was neutrally buoyant in fresh water to now positively buoyant. Thus, the outcome is that the object will rise to the surface in salt water.

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