Chapter 5: Upthrust in Fluids, Archimedes' Principle and FloatationICSE Class 9 Physics100% Free

Upthrust in Fluids Class 9 ICSE Important Questions with Answers

The 14 questions below are Upthrust in Fluids Class 9 ICSE important questions, each with a full step-by-step answer: extra questions beyond the textbook exercises, covering 5 topics of ICSE Class 9 Physics in the question formats used in the exam.

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Reviewed by Classmate AI Team · 18 October 2026

Last updated 25 October 2026

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ICSE Class 9 Upthrust and Floatation questions cover upthrust as the weight of fluid displaced (VρgV\rho gVρ g), Archimedes' principle and apparent weight in the three cases (upthrust less than, equal to, or greater than the weight), relative density of solids and liquids, the fraction of a floating body immersed, and ships, submarines, icebergs and balloons.

About Upthrust in Fluids, Archimedes' Principle and Floatation

Within the ICSE Class 9 Physics chapter Upthrust in Fluids, Archimedes' Principle and Floatation you study the buoyant force exerted by fluids, Archimedes' principle and apparent weight in the three cases of sinking, floating fully submerged and floating partly submerged, how to find relative density, and the law of floatation that governs ships, submarines and balloons.

Buoyancy and upthrustArchimedes' principleDensity and relative densityMeasurement of relative densityLaw of floatation

Key concepts & formulas

Upthrust

A body immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force (upthrust) equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces: FB=Vρfluid gF_B=V\rho_{fluid}\,gF_B=Vρ_fluid g, where VVV is the submerged volume.

Archimedes' principle

When a body is wholly or partly immersed in a fluid, it loses weight equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Apparent weight === weight in air −-- upthrust.

Relative density

R.D.=density of substancedensity of water=weight in airapparent loss of weight in water\text{R.D.}=\dfrac{\text{density of substance}}{\text{density of water}}=\dfrac{\text{weight in air}}{\text{apparent loss of weight in water}}R.D.=(density of substance)/(density of water)=(weight in air)/(apparent loss of weight in water). It has no unit.

Law of floatation

A floating body displaces a weight of fluid equal to its own weight. It floats if its average density is less than (or equal to) that of the fluid; otherwise it sinks.

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Upthrust in Fluids Questions and Answers

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MCQs with answers (1 mark)

Q1MCQEasy1 mark

The upthrust on a body immersed in a fluid is equal to the:

  1. (a)

    weight of the body

  2. (b)

    weight of the fluid displaced

  3. (c)

    volume of the body

  4. (d)

    density of the fluid

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Answer: (b) weight of the fluid displaced.

By Archimedes' principle the buoyant force (upthrust) equals the weight of the fluid displaced by the immersed part of the body.

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Q2MCQEasy1 mark

Relative density has:

  1. (a)

    the unit kg m−3\text{kg m}^{-3}kg m^-3

  2. (b)

    the unit g cm−3\text{g cm}^{-3}g cm^-3

  3. (c)

    no unit

  4. (d)

    the unit N\text{N}N

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Answer: (c) no unit.

Relative density is a ratio of two densities (substance to water), so the units cancel and it is a pure number.

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Q3MCQHOTS1 mark

Ice (relative density 0.90.90.9) floats in sea water (relative density 1.031.031.03). About what fraction of an iceberg is under water?

  1. (a)

    about one-tenth

  2. (b)

    about one-half

  3. (c)

    about seven-eighths

  4. (d)

    all of it

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Answer: (c) about seven-eighths.

For a floating body, volume immersedtotal volume=density of bodydensity of liquid=0.91.03≈0.87\dfrac{\text{volume immersed}}{\text{total volume}}=\dfrac{\text{density of body}}{\text{density of liquid}}=\dfrac{0.9}{1.03}\approx0.87(volume immersed)/(total volume)=(density of body)/(density of liquid)=0.9/1.03≈0.87, i.e. about 78\dfrac787/8 of the iceberg is hidden below the surface.

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Q4MCQHOTS1 mark

An iron nail sinks in water but a large iron ship floats. This is because the ship:

  1. (a)

    is lighter than the nail

  2. (b)

    has an average density less than water

  3. (c)

    is made of a special iron

  4. (d)

    experiences no gravity

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Answer: (b) has an average density less than water.

The ship is hollow, so its average density (mass ÷ total volume including the enclosed air) is less than that of water; it displaces enough water to equal its weight and floats. The solid nail's density exceeds water's, so it sinks.

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Assertion–Reason questions (1 mark)

Q5Assertion–ReasonModerate1 mark

Assertion (A): It is easier to swim in sea water than in river water.

Reason (R): Sea water is denser than river water, so it exerts a greater upthrust.

  1. (a)

    Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

  2. (b)

    Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

  3. (c)

    A is true but R is false

  4. (d)

    A is false but R is true

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Answer: (a) Sea water has a higher density, so for the same submerged volume it provides a larger upthrust (FB=VρgF_B=V\rho gF_B=Vρ g), making swimming easier; R correctly explains A.

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Very short answer questions (2 marks)

Q6Very ShortEasy2 marks

State Archimedes' principle. Name the physical quantity that equals the apparent loss in weight of a submerged body.

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Archimedes' principle: When a body is wholly or partly immersed in a fluid, it experiences an upthrust equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by it.

The apparent loss in weight of the submerged body equals the upthrust (buoyant force), which also equals the weight of the fluid displaced.

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Q7Very ShortModerate2 marks

Define relative density. Write the relation used to find the relative density of a solid heavier than water by the Archimedes method.

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Relative density of a substance is the ratio of its density to the density of water at 4∘C4^{\circ}\text{C}4°C; it has no unit.

R.D.=weight of solid in airapparent loss of weight of solid in water=WairWair−Wwater\text{R.D.}=\dfrac{\text{weight of solid in air}}{\text{apparent loss of weight of solid in water}}=\dfrac{W_{air}}{W_{air}-W_{water}}R.D.=(weight of solid in air)/(apparent loss of weight of solid in water)=W_airW_air-W_water

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Short answer questions (3 marks)

Q8Short AnswerModerate3 marks

A solid weighs 60 gf60\ \text{gf}60 gf in air, 52 gf52\ \text{gf}52 gf when fully immersed in water and 50 gf50\ \text{gf}50 gf when fully immersed in a liquid. Find the relative density of the liquid.

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Loss of weight in water =60−52=8 gf=60-52=8\ \text{gf}=60-52=8 gf (weight of water displaced).

Loss of weight in the liquid =60−50=10 gf=60-50=10\ \text{gf}=60-50=10 gf (weight of the same volume of liquid).

R.D. of liquid=loss of weight in liquidloss of weight in water=108=1.25\text{R.D. of liquid}=\frac{\text{loss of weight in liquid}}{\text{loss of weight in water}}=\frac{10}{8}=1.25R.D. of liquid=(loss of weight in liquid)/(loss of weight in water)=10/8=1.25

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Q9Short AnswerModerate3 marks

A body of volume 100 cm3100\text{ cm}^3100 cm³ is completely immersed in water. Calculate the upthrust on it. (Density of water =1000 kg m−3=1000\text{ kg m}^{-3}=1000 kg m^-3, g=10 m s−2g=10\text{ m s}^{-2}g=10 m s^-2.)

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Convert volume: V=100 cm3=100×10−6=1×10−4 m3V=100\text{ cm}^3=100\times10^{-6}=1\times10^{-4}\text{ m}^3V=100 cm³=100×10^-6=1×10^-4 m³.

Upthrust = weight of water displaced =Vρg=V\rho g=Vρ g.
FB=1×10−4×1000×10=1 NF_B=1\times10^{-4}\times1000\times10=\boxed{1\text{ N}}F_B=1×10^-4×1000×10=1 N

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Q10Short AnswerHOTS3 marks

A block of wood of relative density 0.80.80.8 floats in water. What fraction of its volume remains above the water surface?

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By the law of floatation, weight of block = weight of water displaced.

Let total volume =V=V=V, submerged volume =Vs=V_s=V_s. Then
Vρwoodg=Vsρwaterg⇒VsV=ρwoodρwater=R.D.=0.8V\rho_{wood}g=V_s\rho_{water}g\Rightarrow \dfrac{V_s}{V}=\dfrac{\rho_{wood}}{\rho_{water}}=\text{R.D.}=0.8Vρ_woodg=V_sρ_waterg⇒ V_s/V=ρ_woodρ_water=R.D.=0.8

So the fraction submerged =0.8=0.8=0.8, and the fraction above the surface
=1−0.8=0.2 (15, i.e. 20%)=1-0.8=\boxed{0.2\ \left(\tfrac{1}{5},\ \text{i.e. } 20\%\right)}=1-0.8=0.2 (1/5, i.e. 20%)

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Q11Short AnswerHOTS3 marks

A body of volume 100 cm3100\text{ cm}^3100 cm³ is placed in water (density 1 g cm−31\text{ g cm}^{-3}1 g cm^-3). Its mass is (i) 150 g150\text{ g}150 g, (ii) 100 g100\text{ g}100 g, (iii) 60 g60\text{ g}60 g. In each case, compare the weight with the upthrust when fully immersed, state what happens, and give the apparent weight.

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Fully immersed, the body displaces 100 cm3100\text{ cm}^3100 cm³ of water, so the upthrust is FB=100 gfF_B=100\text{ gf}F_B=100 gf.

(i) Case I, FB<WF_B<WF_B<W (100<150100<150100<150): the body sinks. Apparent weight =150−100=50 gf=150-100=50\text{ gf}=150-100=50 gf.

(ii) Case II, FB=WF_B=WF_B=W (100=100100=100100=100): the body floats fully submerged wherever it is placed. Apparent weight =0=0=0.

(iii) Case III, FB>WF_B>WF_B>W (100>60100>60100>60): the body rises and floats with only part of it under water. At rest, the upthrust equals its weight, 60 gf60\text{ gf}60 gf, so it displaces 60 cm360\text{ cm}^360 cm³ of water; 60%60\%60% of its volume is immersed. Apparent weight =0=0=0. (This is Archimedes' principle applied to floating bodies: a floating body displaces its own weight of liquid.)

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Long answer questions (5 marks)

Q12Long AnswerModerate5 marks

State the law of floatation. Explain the two conditions that decide whether a body will float or sink in a liquid, and describe how a submarine is able to both float and dive.

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Law of floatation: A floating body displaces a weight of liquid equal to its own weight. When floating, its weight acting downward is balanced by the upthrust acting upward.

Conditions (comparing weight WWW and upthrust FBF_BF_B):

  • If W>FBW>F_BW>F_B (body's average density greater than the liquid's), the body sinks.
  • If W=FBW=F_BW=F_B (density equal), the body floats fully submerged in equilibrium.
  • If W<FBW<F_BW<F_B when fully immersed (density less than the liquid's), the body rises and floats partly submerged, displacing liquid whose weight equals its own weight.
ICSE Class 9 Physics — Upthrust in Fluids, Archimedes' Principle and Floatation: State the law of floatation. Explain the two conditions that decide whether a body will float or si

Submarine: A submarine has large ballast tanks. To dive, the tanks are filled with sea water, increasing the submarine's weight beyond the upthrust so it sinks. To rise, compressed air pushes the water out, reducing its weight below the upthrust so it floats up.

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Q13Long AnswerHOTS5 marks

Describe, with the necessary weighings, how you would determine the relative density of a solid denser than water and insoluble in it, using a spring balance. A metal piece weighs 60 gf60\text{ gf}60 gf in air and 52 gf52\text{ gf}52 gf in water; find its relative density and its density.

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Method: Hang the solid from a spring balance and note its weight in air, W1W_1W₁. Then lower the solid so that it is fully immersed in water (not touching the sides or bottom of the beaker) and note the new reading, its apparent weight in water, W2W_2W₂.

The apparent loss of weight (W1−W2)(W_1-W_2)(W₁-W₂) equals the weight of water displaced (Archimedes' principle). Then
R.D.=weight in airapparent loss of weight in water=W1W1−W2.\text{R.D.}=\dfrac{\text{weight in air}}{\text{apparent loss of weight in water}}=\dfrac{W_1}{W_1-W_2}.R.D.=(weight in air)/(apparent loss of weight in water)=W₁/(W₁-W₂).

Numerical: W1=60 gfW_1=60\text{ gf}W₁=60 gf, W2=52 gfW_2=52\text{ gf}W₂=52 gf.
R.D.=6060−52=608=7.5\text{R.D.}=\dfrac{60}{60-52}=\dfrac{60}{8}=\boxed{7.5}R.D.=60/(60-52)=60/8=7.5

Density =R.D.×ρwater=7.5×1000=7500 kg m−3=\text{R.D.}\times\rho_{water}=7.5\times1000=\boxed{7500\text{ kg m}^{-3}}=R.D.× ρ_water=7.5×1000=7500 kg m^-3 (i.e. 7.5 g cm−37.5\text{ g cm}^{-3}7.5 g cm^-3).

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Case study questions (4 marks)

Q14Case-basedModerate4 marks

A metallic solid of volume 200 cm3200\text{ cm}^3200 cm³ and mass 1.6 kg1.6\text{ kg}1.6 kg is fully immersed in water. (Take ρwater=1000 kg m−3\rho_{water}=1000\text{ kg m}^{-3}ρ_water=1000 kg m^-3, g=10 m s−2g=10\text{ m s}^{-2}g=10 m s^-2.)
(i) Find the weight of the solid in air.
(ii) Find the upthrust on it in water.
(iii) Find its apparent weight in water.
(iv) Will it sink or float? Justify.

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V=200 cm3=2×10−4 m3V=200\text{ cm}^3=2\times10^{-4}\text{ m}^3V=200 cm³=2×10^-4 m³, m=1.6 kgm=1.6\text{ kg}m=1.6 kg.

(i) Weight in air =mg=1.6×10=16 N=mg=1.6\times10=\boxed{16\text{ N}}=mg=1.6×10=16 N.

(ii) Upthrust =Vρwaterg=2×10−4×1000×10=2 N=V\rho_{water}g=2\times10^{-4}\times1000\times10=\boxed{2\text{ N}}=Vρ_waterg=2×10^-4×1000×10=2 N.

(iii) Apparent weight === weight in air −-- upthrust =16−2=14 N=16-2=\boxed{14\text{ N}}=16-2=14 N.

(iv) It will sink. The upthrust (2 N2\text{ N}2 N) is less than the weight (16 N16\text{ N}16 N); equivalently the solid's density =1.62×10−4=8000 kg m−3=\dfrac{1.6}{2\times10^{-4}}=8000\text{ kg m}^{-3}=1.62×10^-4=8000 kg m^-3 is greater than that of water.

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All ICSE Class 9 Physics Chapters

Frequently asked questions

  • What are the important questions in Upthrust and Archimedes' Principle ICSE Class 9?
    Upthrust as the weight of fluid displaced, Archimedes' principle and apparent weight, relative density of solids and liquids, the fraction of a floating body immersed, and why ships, icebergs and balloons float. This page on Upthrust in Fluids, Archimedes' Principle and Floatation has 14 of them, each with a worked answer.
  • How do you find relative density from weighings?
    Relative density =weight in airloss of weight in water=\dfrac{\text{weight in air}}{\text{loss of weight in water}}=(weight in air)/(loss of weight in water). A solid weighing 606060 gf in air and 525252 gf in water loses 888 gf, so its R.D. is 7.57.57.5. If it weighs 505050 gf in another liquid, that liquid's R.D. is 108=1.25\tfrac{10}{8}=1.2510/8=1.25.
  • What fraction of a floating block is above water?
    The fraction immersed equals the ratio of densities. Wood of relative density 0.80.80.8 floats with 0.80.80.8 of its volume under water and 0.20.20.2 above. Ice (0.90.90.9) in sea water (1.031.031.03) is about 87%87\%87% submerged, which is why most of an iceberg is hidden.
  • Why does an iron ship float when an iron nail sinks?
    The ship's hollow shape lets it displace a large volume of water, whose weight equals the ship's weight, so its average density is less than water's. The solid nail displaces only a little water, less than its own weight, so it sinks.
  • Which ICSE Class 9 chapter comes before Upthrust in Fluids?
    Pressure in Fluids (Chapter 4), since upthrust arises from the difference in liquid pressure on the top and bottom of a body. Upthrust is Chapter 5, and Heat and Energy (Chapter 6) follows.
  • Why is it easier to swim in sea water than river water?
    Sea water is denser because of dissolved salts, so the same submerged volume gives a larger upthrust. Your body needs to displace less water to float. This page's assertion–reason item asks for this reason.
  • Can I download Upthrust and Floatation ICSE questions?
    Yes. Enter your email in the free PDF box on this page to open all 14 upthrust and floatation questions with worked answers as a printable worksheet.

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