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Centre Of Buoyancy Formula:
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The centre of buoyancy is the centroid of the displaced volume of fluid by a submerged or floating body. It represents the point through which the buoyant force acts on the body.
The calculator uses the centre of buoyancy formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the weighted average depth of the displaced fluid volume, where the weighting is the volume at each depth.
Details: Accurate calculation of centre of buoyancy is crucial for determining the stability of floating and submerged bodies, ship design, offshore structures, and underwater vehicle dynamics.
Tips: Enter depth in meters, volume element in cubic meters, and total volume in cubic meters. All values must be positive and non-zero.
Q1: What is the difference between centre of buoyancy and centre of gravity?
A: Centre of gravity is the point where the total weight acts, while centre of buoyancy is where the buoyant force acts. Their relative positions determine stability.
Q2: How does centre of buoyancy affect stability?
A: A higher centre of buoyancy relative to centre of gravity increases stability. The metacenter height (distance between them) determines the righting moment.
Q3: Does centre of buoyancy change with immersion?
A: Yes, as a body submerges or changes orientation, the shape of displaced volume changes, moving the centre of buoyancy.
Q4: What units should be used for calculation?
A: Consistent SI units are recommended: meters for depth and cubic meters for volume. Ensure all inputs use the same unit system.
Q5: When is the integral form necessary vs simplified calculation?
A: The integral form is needed for complex shapes. For simple geometric shapes, the centre of buoyancy can be found using geometric centroids.