What does Archimedes' Principle state about objects immersed in a fluid?

Archimedes' Principle states that any object immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. This principle is fundamental in understanding why objects either sink, float, or remain suspended in fluids.

When an object is placed in a fluid, it pushes some of the fluid out of the way, which is the fluid that is displaced. The weight of this displaced fluid generates an upward force on the object. If the weight of the object is greater than the weight of the fluid it displaces, it will sink; if it is equal, it will float; if less, it will rise or remain submerged.

This principle is crucial in various applications, from designing ships and submarines to understanding how different materials behave in water. The upward buoyant force acting on submerged objects is what allows certain materials to appear to weigh less in water than they do in air, leading to practical implications in both engineering and natural phenomena.