1. What is Buoyant Force?

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the buoyant force equation:

Where:

• \( F_b \) — Buoyant force (N)
• \( \rho_f \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( V_{beam} \) — Submerged volume of beam (m³)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s² on Earth)

Explanation: The equation calculates the upward force exerted by the fluid on the submerged beam based on the fluid's density and the volume displaced by the beam.

3. Importance of Buoyant Force Calculation

Details: Calculating buoyant force is essential for designing floating structures, understanding stability of submerged objects, and analyzing fluid-structure interactions in engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical density of water?
A: Fresh water has a density of about 1000 kg/m³, while seawater is about 1025 kg/m³ at standard conditions.

Q2: How do I calculate submerged volume for a beam?
A: For a rectangular beam, it's length × width × submerged height. For complex shapes, use CAD software or numerical integration.

Q3: Does the beam material affect buoyant force?
A: No, buoyant force depends only on the fluid properties and displaced volume, not the object's material.

Q4: What if the beam is only partially submerged?
A: Use only the submerged portion's volume in the calculation.

Q5: How does buoyant force relate to stability?
A: The relationship between buoyant force and gravitational force determines whether an object floats, sinks, or remains neutrally buoyant.