What occurs when an object weighs less than the water?

When an object weighs less than the water, it experiences a buoyant force that is greater than the force of gravity acting on it. This buoyant force arises from the water’s displacement, which is equal to the volume of the submerged part of the object. Because the weight of the object is less than the weight of the water it displaces, it will rise to the surface and float. This principle is rooted in Archimedes' principle, which states that an object submerged in fluid experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced.

The other options do not accurately reflect the behavior of objects in water. An object that sinks, for example, would be one that is denser than water, while disappearing underwater implies it is not observable but does not capture the action of floating. Breaking surface tension might occur but does not specifically relate to whether the object sinks or floats. Floating is the direct result of the object's lower density compared to water, making it the correct response.