Home
Back
Buoyant Force Equation:
| From: | To: |
The buoyant force equation, also known as Archimedes' Principle, states that the upward buoyant force exerted on a body immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid the body displaces. This principle is fundamental in fluid mechanics and hydrostatics.
The calculator uses the buoyant force equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that buoyant force depends on the density of the fluid, the volume of fluid displaced by the object, and the local acceleration due to gravity.
Details: Calculating buoyant force is essential for designing ships, submarines, hot air balloons, and other floating structures. It's also crucial in understanding why objects float or sink and in various engineering applications.
Tips: Enter fluid density in kg/m³ (1000 for water), displaced volume in m³, and gravity in m/s² (9.81 on Earth). All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What is the typical density of water?
A: Fresh water has a density of about 1000 kg/m³ at 4°C. Sea water is slightly denser at about 1025 kg/m³.
Q2: How do I determine the displaced volume?
A: For fully submerged objects, it's the object's total volume. For floating objects, it's the volume of the part below the fluid surface.
Q3: Does buoyant force depend on the object's material?
A: No, it only depends on the fluid's properties and the displaced volume. However, whether the object floats or sinks depends on its density compared to the fluid.
Q4: What if the object is only partially submerged?
A: The equation still applies, but V represents only the submerged volume of the object.
Q5: How does gravity affect buoyant force?
A: Higher gravity increases buoyant force proportionally. On the Moon (g ≈ 1.62 m/s²), buoyant force would be about 1/6 of that on Earth.