11.4.3. Buoyant Forces and Stability

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is buoyant force?

   Hint

   Think about what happens when something floats.

2. 2.

   Define the center of buoyancy.

   Hint

   Where does the buoyant force act?

3. 3.

   What does Archimedes' principle describe?

   • Force of gravity
   • Buoyant force
   • Fluid pressure

   Hint

   Think about what enables objects to float.

4. 4.

   True or False: A stable equilibrium means an object remains upright after being disturbed.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider what happens when you bump into a table.

5. 5.

   A steel block weighing 100 kg is submerged in water, causing a displacement of 0.1 m³. What is the buoyant force acting on the block?

   Hint

   Use the density of water to find the weight of the water displaced.

6. 6.

   A boat has a center of gravity 2 meters above the waterline and the metacenter is 3 meters above the waterline. Determine whether the boat is in stable equilibrium.

   Hint

   Compare the height of the metacenter and the center of gravity.