/sci/ - Science & Math

Easy-to-visualize solution to the "vacuum" troll:

Take a plastic ziploc bag, squeeze the air out, then close it. Does it float?

The real solution:

Lighter gasses provide a net force up while a vacuum does not provide a force at all. In order to have a net force up you need a gas which is considerably lighter than air AND it outweighs the force of gravity downward on the matter in which it is encased in. For example, even though helium is lighter than air, you still need a decent amount in a balloon in order to make it rise since it has to overcome the weight of the rubber.

Pic related. In a vacuum, there would be no net force upward.