The float displaces its own weight in the liquid in which it floats. It will sink into the liquid until a volume of liquid is displaced that is equal in weight to that of the float. When the specific gravity of the liquid and the cross-sectional area of the float remain constant, the float rises and falls with the level. So, the float will assume a constant relative position with the level and its position is a direct indication of level. The amount of liquid displaced by variable displacers depends on how deeply the device is submerged in the liquid. With variable displacement devices, the amount of displacement varies with the level of the liquid. The span of the displacer is the distance that the displacer will respond to the forces of buoyancy. Buoyant force depends on the amount of liquid displaced and the density of the liquid.