Why is it that we can't float but logs can?

Question

very heavy logs can float on water, but we can't? we are only supposed to sink when we weigh more than the water we are in, but i don't way more than the ocean!

Answer 1

It is not the water you are in but the water you displace that matters.  As has been pointed out it is a question of density.  It does not matter how big and heavy the log is, if its density is less than that of the water, it will float.  Likewise people.  People are made of >80% water, bone and muscle. fat, and some air intheir lungs: Fat is lighter than water, so people who have a high proportion of fat relative to muscle will usually float.  Most people will float if they lie still in the water and don't inhale it.  A few people are negatively bouyant and will sink.

Answer 2

The answer is mass in relation to density.

A large object with a lot of density will not float.

A larger object with little density will float.

Less density equals more air within the object, which creates more bouyancy

Answer 3

i don't know as i always float.  i have to really work to go under water.  if i quit then i float back to top.

and i only weight 115 pounds so i don't have fat.

Answer 4

It's all density.  Wood generally has a density less than that of water, so it floats.  People generally have a density around that of water, it may be a bit higher if they are more muscle than adipose tissue, or less than water if they are more fat than muscle.  Salt water has a higher density than fresh water, so one would have an easier time floating in the ocean than in a freshwater pond or pool.  At the Dead Sea in the Middle East, there is so much salt that almost anybody can float with no trouble.

Answer 5

we can float, it just takes correct posture

Answer 6

Logs have larger surface area so they float.

Answer 7

I float just fine. And your assertion about weight is false.