eli5: why do my hands float up in water?

Question

My other body parts sink, except chest if I inhale.

In: Physics

Answer 1

Bones are more buoyant (an objects ability to float in water) than muscles and organs. Since your hands are mostly bone and ligaments, then they are more likely to float. If you have chubby hands, fat is also pretty buoyant, so that could contribute to this as well.