Buoyancy Force and Archimedes’ principle

Buoyancy Force

Buoyancy, or upthrust, is an upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of a partially or fully immersed object.

We have come across many daily life observations of sinking objects in water and floating on it. As boats, ships, plastic bottles and straws float on the surface of water, some fruits, iron pieces and stones etc. don't float on the water. We have also experienced that, when we try to sink tightly capped empty bottles in water, it forces it up towards the surface. We have also experienced that; a heavy piece of brick or iron feels lighter inside water than outside.

Although! Humans discovered this long ago in history. But the net amount of force exerted by water on any object was still a mystery. Until Archimedes figured it out in 246 BC.

Archimedes’ principle

Archimedes observed that, when we sink any object in a completely filled vessel with water, it displaces some water. He also calculated that; the net buoyancy force exerted by water is equal to the weight of displaced water.

Archimedes proposed a principle and named this principle after his name as we can say, “The Archimedes’ Principle”. This principle states that:

Any object, totally or partially immersed in a fluid or liquid, is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.

Relative density:

After all these discoveries, still the mystery of floating some objects and sinking others was yet to unfold. But this mystery was solved by the concept of relative density.

We know that every object has a definite density. As water has density 997 kg/m³ and air has 1.24 kg/m³. To find the relative density of any object with water, we need to divide the density of object by the density of water. Such as;

Relative density = Density of object / Density of water

According to physics if the relative density of an object is greater than 1, then it will sink in the water and if the relative density of object is less than 1, it will float on the surface.

The concept of Buoyancy force is very handy in daily life and in industries as well. It is used in designing ships and submarines. This principle is used in lactometers, which are used to determine the purity of a sample of milk and hydrometers which are used for determining density of liquids etc.

After all these studies and discoveries, Buoyancy force has yet too much to explore. We will talk about them in our advanced blogs. Until then try to figure out about the most dense liquid on the earth and tell us in the comment box. See you in the next blog.

Comments

Electric Motor - Brief History, Definition, Application and FAQs

Brief history of Electric Motor The history of the electric motor is a fascinating journey through centuries of innovation and technological advancements. Here is a detailed overview of its evolution: The concept of electromagnetism, the fundamental principle behind electric motors, was first discovered by Hans Christian Ørsted in 1820. His experiments demonstrated that an electric current could produce a magnetic field, laying the groundwork for the development of electric motors. Michael Faraday, a British scientist, made significant contributions to the understanding of electromagnetism. In 1821, he built the first electric motor by using a simple electromagnetic apparatus. Faraday's experiments paved the way for further research into electric motors. The late 19th century saw the commercialization of electric motors for various industrial applications. Inventors such as Thomas Davenport, who patented one of the earliest electric motors in 1837, and Nikola Tesla, who dev...

Non-Conventional Sources of Energy - Introduction, Brief History, Types, Applications and FAQs

Brief history of non-conventional sources of energy Our reliance on fossil fuels is a relatively recent phenomenon. Throughout history, humanity has explored various ways to harness energy from the environment, laying the groundwork for the non-conventional energy sources of today. Let's embark on a journey through time to explore the development of these sustainable alternatives. Early Renewable Efforts: Wind and Water Power the Way The use of non-conventional energy sources stretches back centuries. Windmills, the forerunners of modern wind turbines, emerged in Persia (modern-day Iran and surrounding regions) around 7th century AD. These wind-powered machines were used for grinding grain and pumping water, showcasing the early understanding of harnessing wind's kinetic energy. Water power also played a significant role in early societies. Water wheels, powered by flowing rivers or streams, were used for milling grains and powering various mechanical processes. The concept ...

Electric Circuits - A brief overview of history, definition and applications

Brief history of Electric Circuits Early Concepts: Ancient Wonders: While the concept of electric circuits as we know them didn't emerge until more recent times, early civilizations like the ancient Greeks had inklings of electrical phenomena. They observed static electricity through materials like amber, a substance that, when rubbed, attracted lightweight objects. 18th Century Enlightenment: Franklin's Experiments: In the mid-18th century, Benjamin Franklin's famous kite experiment demonstrated the connection between lightning and electricity. This period laid the groundwork for understanding the nature of electric charge. 19th Century Innovations: Ohm's Law: In the 1820s, Georg Simon Ohm formulated Ohm's Law, a fundamental principle that defines the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in a circuit. This was a pivotal moment in understanding the quantitative aspects of electricity. Telegraphy and Electrical Communication: Morse ...

Chronon

Search This Blog