Archimedes' Law applies to which types of substances?

Archimedes' Law, also known as the principle of buoyancy, states that an object submerged in a fluid experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the fluid that it displaces. This principle is directly applicable to both liquids and gases, as both can exert buoyant forces.

When it comes to liquids, the concept is straightforward—an object submerged in water, for example, will experience a buoyant force due to the weight of the water displaced. Gases, although less dense than liquids, can also create buoyant forces. For instance, a balloon filled with helium will rise in the air because the weight of the air displaced is greater than the weight of the balloon itself.

While solids do interact with Archimedes' Law when they are submerged in fluids, the law itself is primarily concerned with the behavior of objects in liquids and gases. Therefore, the correct application of Archimedes' Law pertains to liquids or gases, making the choice about those two types of substances the most appropriate.