How would you verify the Archimedes principle for objects that are less dense than the liquid?

Answer 1

Two ways to do this: 1) Floating the less dense object on the more dense liquid. To verify the Archimedes principle you need to show that the mass of the liquid displaced by the less dense object is equal to the mass of the less dense object. To do this you need to have a way to determine the mass of the displaced liquid. If the liquid is in a container filled to the brim, then when you place the less dense object in it, the displaced liquid will spill out over the edges of the container. If you can collect and weight that liquid, then you can compare its weight to the weight of the less dense object - they should match. Alternatively, you can find a way to measure the volume of the displaced liquid and calculate the mass from the volume and density of the displaced liquid. 2) Immerse the object completely in the liquid and measure the force required to keep it submerged. This one is more complicated and difficult to execute and measure. The force required to keep the less dense object submerged should be the difference between the weight of the object (when it is not in the liquid) and the weight of the displaced liquid.