1. What is Buoyant Force?

Buoyant force is the upward force exerted by a fluid on any object placed in it. According to Archimedes' principle, the magnitude of this 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 formula:

Where:

• \( F_b \) — Buoyant force (Newtons)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( V \) — Volume of fluid displaced (m³)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s² on Earth)

Explanation: The formula calculates the upward force that a fluid exerts on an object submerged in it, which is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.

3. Importance of Buoyant Force Calculation

Details: Calculating buoyant force is essential in various applications including ship design, submarine operations, hot air ballooning, and understanding why objects float or sink in fluids.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter fluid density in kg/m³, displaced volume in m³, and gravitational acceleration in m/s². All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Archimedes' principle?
A: Archimedes' principle states that the buoyant force on an object is equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces.

Q2: How does object density affect buoyancy?
A: If an object's density is less than the fluid's density, it will float. If greater, it will sink.

Q3: Does shape affect buoyant force?
A: No, the buoyant force depends only on the volume of fluid displaced, not on the object's shape.

Q4: What's the difference between buoyant force and weight?
A: Weight is the downward force due to gravity, while buoyant force is the upward force exerted by a fluid.

Q5: How is this applied in real-world engineering?
A: Buoyancy calculations are crucial in shipbuilding, submarine design, offshore platforms, and many other marine engineering applications.