If an object is neutrally buoyant in fresh water, what happens when it's placed in salt water?

When an object is neutrally buoyant in fresh water, it means that its density is equal to that of fresh water. When the object is placed in salt water, which is denser than fresh water due to the dissolved salts, the object's interaction with the liquid changes.

In this case, the object will actually become positively buoyant, which leads to floating if the densities are considered. However, the question specifically asks about the object remaining neutrally buoyant when transitioning from fresh water to salt water. Since the salt water is denser, an object that was previously neutrally buoyant in fresh water would not remain neutrally buoyant once placed in salt water.

The correct conclusion here is that the object will float in salt water because the increased density of the salt water provides an upward buoyant force that exceeds the downward gravitational force acting on the object. Thus, rather than remaining neutrally buoyant, it will experience a change in buoyancy due to the density difference between the two types of water.