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Buoyant Force Formula:
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Buoyant force is the upward force exerted by a fluid on any object immersed in it. According to Archimedes' principle, the magnitude of this force is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.
The calculator uses the buoyant force formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the upward force experienced by an object submerged in a fluid, which depends on the fluid's density, the volume of fluid displaced, and gravitational acceleration.
Details: Understanding buoyant force is essential for designing ships, submarines, and other floating structures. It also explains why objects float or sink and is fundamental to fluid mechanics.
Tips: Enter the fluid density in kg/m³, the volume of fluid displaced in m³, and gravitational acceleration in m/s² (default is Earth's gravity 9.81 m/s²). All values must be positive numbers.
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: Why do some objects float while others sink?
A: An object floats if its density is less than the fluid's density, and sinks if its density is greater. The buoyant force must exceed the object's weight for it to float.
Q3: Does buoyant force depend on the object's shape?
A: The buoyant force depends only on the volume of fluid displaced, not on the object's shape, material, or mass.
Q4: How does saltwater affect buoyancy?
A: Saltwater has higher density than freshwater, so objects float higher in saltwater and experience greater buoyant force.
Q5: Can buoyant force be negative?
A: Buoyant force is always directed upward, so it's typically considered positive. If an object is accelerating downward, the net force might be negative, but the buoyant force itself remains positive.