Why does oceanic crust subducted when it collides with a continental plate?

Oceanic crust subducts when it collides with a continental plate primarily due to its higher density compared to continental crust. The denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the lighter continental plate at convergent boundaries, creating a subduction zone. This process leads to geological phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic activity, as the subducted oceanic crust melts and interacts with the mantle.