Three fish of equal volume are swimming in a fish tank. They all have the same volume, but A has the greatest mass, B has less, and fish C has even less mass. (The differences are significant.)
The fish are swimming as shown. At that instant, how do the buoyant forces exerted by the water on the three fish rank?
A. BFB > BFA = BFC
B. BFB = BFA > BFC
C. BFB > BFA > BFC
D. BFA = BFB = BFC
E. Some other ranking
If the fish stopped swimming, fish B would remain right where it is shown.
What would happen to fish A and C? Put all the correct answers. If none of these would happen, put N.
A. Fish C would be pushed down to the bottom by the water above it.
B. Fish C would float to the top.
C. Fish A would be pushed to the top by the water below it.
D. Fish A would sink to the bottom.

A would sink to the bottom.Since B just remains where it is shown, its mass must balance the buoyant force and its weight must be equal to the weight of the water displaced. Since A is heavier, its weight will be greater than its buoyant force, it will sink. Since C is lighter, its buoyant force will be greater thanits weight and it will float to the top.