Why do coconuts float in water?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Fibrous husk provides flotation
Oily flesh is buoyant — Wrong. Coconut meat is denser than water. Buoyancy comes from the thick, fibrous husk surrounding the shell—it's lightweight and waterproof.
Fibrous husk provides flotation ✓ — Correct! Coconuts have a thick fibrous husk (mesocarp) between the outer skin and hard shell. This layer is lightweight, waterproof, and traps air—perfect flotation! Coconut palms grow on tropical coasts; fruits fall into ocean and drift to new islands for seed dispersal. Some travel thousands of kilometers!
Hollow center keeps them light — Wrong. The center isn't hollow—it contains coconut water. Coconuts float because the thick, fibrous husk is full of air pockets and is less dense than water, providing excellent buoyancy.