1. What is Buoyant Force?

The buoyant force is the upward force exerted by a fluid on an immersed object. According to Archimedes' principle, the buoyant force equals the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the buoyancy formula:

Where:

• \( F_b \) — Buoyant force (N)
• \( \rho_f \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( V \) — Volume of displaced fluid (m³)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s² on Earth)

Explanation: The equation shows that buoyant force depends on the density of the fluid, the volume of fluid displaced, and the local gravitational acceleration.

3. Importance of Buoyancy Calculation

Details: Buoyancy calculations are essential in ship design, submarine operations, hot air ballooning, and understanding why objects float or sink. It's fundamental in fluid mechanics and hydrostatic applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter fluid density in kg/m³ (1000 for water), displaced volume in m³, and gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s² for Earth). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between buoyancy and floatation?
A: Buoyancy is the upward force, while floatation occurs when buoyant force equals the object's weight.

Q2: How does salt water affect buoyancy?
A: Salt water has higher density (~1025 kg/m³) than fresh water, creating greater buoyant force for the same volume.

Q3: Why do some objects float and others sink?
A: If an object's average density is less than the fluid's density, it will float; otherwise it will sink.

Q4: Does shape affect buoyancy?
A: Only indirectly by affecting how much fluid is displaced. The buoyant force depends only on the displaced volume.

Q5: How is this used in real-world applications?
A: Ship designers use buoyancy calculations to determine how much cargo a vessel can carry while staying afloat.