How do temperature changes in water affect a diver's buoyancy?

Buoyancy is influenced by the density of the fluid in which an object is submerged. As temperature decreases, the density of water increases. This means that cold water is denser than warm water. When a diver is in colder water, the increased density of the water can have significant implications for buoyancy.

If a diver is wearing a wetsuit, the suit may trap air, which contributes to buoyancy. However, as the temperature of the water decreases and its density increases, the air trapped in the wetsuit may compress because of the increased pressure from the surrounding water. This compression leads to a reduction in the overall volume of the air bubble, resulting in reduced buoyancy. Thus, while the water itself is more buoyant due to higher density, the trapped air inside the wetsuit may lose its effectiveness in keeping the diver afloat if compressed too much. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the relationship between water temperature, density, and buoyancy in this context.