What is buoyancy?

Buoyancy refers to the upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an immersed object. This upward force allows objects to float or rise in the water. When an object is placed in a fluid, it displaces a volume of that fluid, and the resulting upward force acting on the object is what characterizes buoyancy.

Understanding buoyancy is crucial for divers, as it affects their ability to control their position in the water. A diver must be aware of how buoyancy works to maintain neutral buoyancy, which is essential for conserving energy and avoiding unwanted ascents or descents while underwater.

Other options provide related but incorrect definitions. The weight of an object underwater does not define buoyancy; instead, it describes force due to gravity on the object. The overall density of the object explains how buoyant it will be, but it is not a definition of buoyancy itself. The method of floating can be affected by buoyancy, but it does not describe the force that enables that floating.