State Archimedes' principle and give an example of how you could determine a buoyant force?

Answer 1

Archimedes stated that any object set in water will experience a force of buoyancy equal to the weight of the water displaced.

To determine the buoyancy force of an object, follow the procedure below. You will need:

• Two containers
• An accurate scale

1. Find a container as least as wide and as deep as the object in question, and then find a second container that is wide and deep enough to catch spilled water from the first container. For example, use a measuring cup as the small container, and a cake pan for the larger container.

2. Weigh the larger container. Write down this measurement - you will need it in step 8.

3. Rest the smaller container in the middle of the larger container.

4. Fill the smaller container completely and exactly full with water, such that the smaller container cannot hold any more water without spilling over. Be certain not to spill any water into the larger container during this step.

5. Gently place the object in question in the smaller container - do not drop it into the water. Allow it to immerse into the water gently so that it does not splash. As you place the object in the smaller container, water will spill over the top of the container, and will be captured by the larger container.

6. After the object in question comes to rest in or on top of the water, remove the object, again being careful not to spill or splash any water over the edge of the smaller container while removing the object.

7. Remove the smaller container from the larger container.

8. Now weigh the larger container with the water in it, and subtract the weight you measured in step 2 from this weight. The difference in weight is the weight of the water alone.

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The buoyancy force is the weight of the water you calculated in step 8.