5. Buoyancy and Archimedes’ Principle
Buoyancy and Archimedes’ principle explain the upward force exerted by fluids on objects immersed within them, demonstrating various factors that affect this force, including the object's volume and the fluid's density. Key concepts include buoyant force, Archimedes’ principle, and density, relevant to practical applications such as shipbuilding and measurement of purity. The chapter further discusses the law of flotation, outlining how weighted bodies interact with the fluids they displace.
Enroll to start learning
You've not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Sections
Navigate through the learning materials and practice exercises.
What we have learnt
- Buoyant force acts opposite to gravity and makes objects appear lighter in water.
- Archimedes’ principle states that a body immersed in a fluid experiences a buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces.
- Density is defined as mass per unit volume, and relative density indicates whether an object will float or sink in water.
Key Concepts
- -- Buoyant Force
- The upward force exerted by a fluid on an object immersed in it, counteracting gravity.
- -- Archimedes’ Principle
- A body immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced.
- -- Density
- Mass per unit volume of an object, typically measured in kg/m3.
- -- Relative Density
- The ratio of a substance's density to that of water, indicating if it will float (R.D.<1) or sink (R.D.>1).
- -- Law of Floatation
- A body floats in a fluid if its weight is equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces.
Additional Learning Materials
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.