11.5.4. Unstable Equilibrium

Try these first

1. 1.

   What does Archimedes' principle state?

   Hint

   Think about what happens to objects when they are placed in water.

2. 2.

   Define stable equilibrium.

   Hint

   Think of how a buoyant object behaves in water.

3. 3.

   What is the buoyant force?

   • The weight of the object
   • The upward force exerted by the fluid
   • The force of gravity

   Hint

   Consider what keeps an object afloat in water.

4. 4.

   True or False: If the metacenter is below the center of gravity, the floating body is in stable equilibrium.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about object stability when tilted.

5. 5.

   Calculate the metacentric height of a boat that has a center of buoyancy that moves up by 0.2 meters when tilted and has a center of gravity at 1 meter above sea level.

   Hint

   Remember: BM > BG for stability.

6. 6.

   A floating object tips slightly, moving its center of gravity upward, potentially affecting stability. How would you experimentally determine if the object is stable or unstable?

   Hint

   Observe and test the recovery behavior after the tilting.