Buoyancy and Floatation

The activity shows that the object weighed more in air than in water. Objects in any fluid experience an upward push or force known as Buoyant Force. Buoyant force is a result of unbalanced forces acting on the object in the fluid from all directions. This buoyant force is equal to the apparent loss in weight of the object. The buoyant force experienced by a body can be affected by its size (surface area) and weight. We found in lab 2 that the object sank when placed in water by itself, but floats when placed in the foil bowl. The bowl of foil has increases the surface area in contact with water, hence its volume. This increase in volume creates a system with effective density lower than that of water, which causes it to float.

Archimedes Principle states that an object that is partially or fully immersed in a fluid displaces an amount of fluid equal to its weight. Archimedes Principle explains buoyancy. The principle is true for all fluids, liquids and air. Archimedes principle is also described as the law of buoyancy.