If some object is weighed when submerged in water, what will happen to its weight compared to its weight in air?

Options

A. Increase
B. Decrease
C. Remain exactly the same
D. Increase or decrease cannot be predicted

Explanation

To determine what happens to the weight of an object when it is submerged in water compared to its weight in air, we can analyze the forces acting on the object in both scenarios.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Weight**:
- Weight (W) is defined as the force exerted by gravity on an object, which can be calculated using the formula:
\[ W = mg \]
where \( m \) is the mass of the object and \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity.

2. **Forces Acting in Air**:
- When the object is in air, the only significant force acting on it is its weight (W = mg). The air resistance is negligible for most practical purposes, so we can consider:
\[ F_{\text{net, air}} = W = mg \]

3. **Forces Acting in Water**:
- When the object is submerged in water, two forces act on it:
- The downward gravitational force (weight) \( W = mg \).
- The upward buoyant force (B) exerted by the water, which is equal to the weight of the water displaced by the object according to Archimedes' principle.

4. **Net Force in Water**:
- The net force acting on the object when submerged in water can be expressed as:
\[ F_{\text{net, water}} = W - B = mg - B \]
- Here, \( B \) is the buoyant force, which reduces the effective weight of the object when it is submerged.

5. **Comparison of Weights**:
- Since the buoyant force acts upward and reduces the effective weight of the object, we can conclude that:
\[ F_{\text{net, water}} < F_{\text{net, air}} \]
- Therefore, the weight of the object when submerged in water is less than its weight in air.

6. **Final Conclusion**:
- The weight of the object when submerged in water decreases compared to its weight in air.

### Answer:
The weight of the object when submerged in water will be less than its weight in air.

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