Vertical space between Text and figure

Question

If the code is like this:

text text text text text.~\cite{sour}\begin{figure}[htbp]
   \centering
   \includegraphics[width=0.9\textwidth]{IMG/fig}
   \caption{Caption.}
   \label{fig:figlabel}
\end{figure} 

No additional vertical space between the figure and the text text text.~\cite{sour} appears. If the code looks like this(what i usually use):

text text text text text.~\cite{sour}
\begin{figure}[htbp]
   \centering
   \includegraphics[width=0.9\textwidth]{IMG/fig}
   \caption{Caption.}
   \label{fig:figlabel}
\end{figure} 

There appears additional space. The text text text.~\cite{sour} is (randomly) as long as one textline, every word i add to the text solves the problem (the text wraps then). It seems the reason is because the text is just about to wrap.

Answer 1

OTOH, it might be easier just to add a % after \cite{}.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{graphicx}

\newcommand{\linegobble}{\bgroup
  \baselineskip=0pt
  \par
\egroup}

\begin{document}

\noindent\rule[-.4\baselineskip]{\textwidth}{\baselineskip}%
\begin{figure}[h]
\centering\includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{example-image}
\end{figure}
\linegobble% not needed here, but doesn't hurt either

\noindent\rule[-.4\baselineskip]{\textwidth}{\baselineskip}
\begin{figure}[h]
\centering\includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{example-image}
\end{figure}
\linegobble

Next paragraph.
\end{document}