Thank you for sharing some of your expertise, Samantha!
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador

There is a little more science to it then just displaced water. It has to do with density.

Something can only float if it is less dense then the liquid or gas around it. Density is equal to the mass/volume of the object.

The peel of an orange traps air but also makes the volume of the orange greater than that of the peeled orange. Because the volume is greater with the peel on, but the mass doesn’t change all that much due to the trapped air, The Density of the unpeeled orange is less than the peeled orange.

In your case the amount of water (volume) may have been greater than the experiment shown above so therefore the density of the orange compared to that of the water changed, allowing it to float.

I tried the experiment in a large glass. The orange did not sink without the peel. What could have made it float?

Awesome Lauren!
I hope you enjoy!
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador

Thanks, Minase!

Thank you, Valli! I hope you find hours of inspiration for you and your kids!
Warmly,
Kimberleigh // Happiness Ambassador

The orange becomes less dense when you remove the peel, yes, but it actually displaces MORE water when it sinks. The orange’s density is greater without the peel, but that’s not *because* of amount of water being displaced. Density is inherent to the object, (density = mass/volume)