Buoyancy

Instructor: Ph.D. Arnold Guerra III

Vuong Chu
05/14/2015

I. Opening
The main goal of this experiment was to experimentally verify Archimedess principle of
buoyant force which states that the buoyant force acting on an object, submerged in a fluid,
equals the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.
II. Procedures and Descriptions
Experimental apparatus: in this investigation, we used a right angle clamp, a lab post, a
steel rod, a hanging metal ball, a metal cube, a metal cylinder, a force sensor, a vernier caliper, a
tuna fish can, a glass beaker, slotted mass set, science workshop 750 interface, and physic Data
Studio program on computer.
Part 1: Predicting the Buoyant Force
The dimensions of each of the three objects were measured using the vernier caliber and
were recorded into table 1. The volume and the theoretical buoyant force value were
calculated and recorded in table 1 as well.
Part 2: Measuring Buoyant Force
1. The lab post was put into the hole on the table, and the steel rod was clamped
horizontally to the post using the right angle clamp.
2. The force sensor was connected to the science workshop 750 interface and was
hung up to the rod.
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3. The breaker was filled with water.

4. Each of the three objects was hung up on the sensor force with string. For each
object, its weight was measured when it was out of the water and when it was
submerged in water. The weights were recorded in table 2.
5. The experimental buoyant force values were calculated and recorded in table 2 as
well.
6. The percentage error of each object between theoretical and experimental values
was calculated.
Part 3: Weighting capacity of a boat
The tuna fish cans dimensions, which was considered as a boat, was measured using
the vernier caliber and was recorded. Its volume was then calculated. The tuna can
was weight and its mass was recorded. The can then was set floating on water in the
beaker. Slotted masses were load in the can little by little until the can sank. The total
loading mass was recorded.
III. The Data
The experimental data were recorded in the table 1 and 2.
IV. Sketches and Graphs
(Do not apply for this experiment).
V. Analysis
1. For the sphere:
The volume and the theoretical buoyant force value of the sphere were calculated as
following

4 3
4
= (1.9)3 = 28.73091201
3
3

(3 ) = 28.73091201 106

= = 1000 (28.73091201 106 ) (9.8) = 0.281563

The experimental buoyant force of the sphere was calculated as following

= = 2.16 1.85 = 0.31

(3 )

()

()

The percentage error between the theoretical and experimental value of buoyant force of
the sphere was calculated as following

0.31 0.281563
% =

100
=

100 = 10.1 %

0.281563

2. For the cube:

The volume and the theoretical buoyant force value of the cube were calculated as
following
= 1 2 3 = 3.82 3.82 2.54 = 37.064696 (3 )
= 37.064696 106

(3 )

= = 1000 (37.064696 106 ) (9.8) = 0.363234

The experimental buoyant force of the cube was calculated as following

= = 0.98 0.63 = 0.35

()

()

The percentage error between the theoretical and experimental value of buoyant force of
the sphere was calculated as following

0.35 0.363234

% = 100 =
100 = 3.64 %
0.363234

3. For the cylinder:

The volume and the theoretical buoyant force value of the cylinder were calculated as
following
= 2 = (0.952 )(7.96) = 22.56888746 (3 )
= 22.56888746 106

(3 )

= = 1000 (22.56888746 106 ) (9.8) = 0.221751 ()

The experimental buoyant force of the cylinder was calculated as following

= = 0.63 0.4 = 0.23

()

The percentage error between the theoretical and experimental value of buoyant force of
the sphere was calculated as following

0.23 0.221751
% =

100
=

100 = 3.72 %

0.221751

4. For the boat:

Mass of the tuna fish can: M can = 25.7 grams

Radius of tuna fish can: R can = 8.39/2 = 4.195 cm
Height of tuna fish can: H can = 3.76 cm
Volume of tuna fish can: = 2 = (4.1952 )(3.76) = 207.874706

(3 )

Maximum load that can be applied to the tuna fish can before it sank was calculated as
following
M add = V can M can = 207.874706 25.7 = 182.174706

(grams)

The actual mass was loaded in the can was 186 grams.
VI. Conclusions
After the investigation, we have proved that the theory is to be true because our data
support the theory. The percentage differences of buoyant force between theoretical and
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experimental value were small enough so that we can say the theory is true. Moreover, the
experiment about testing capacity of a boat also proves the theory is true. With the difference
was only 3.825294 grams due to the friction between the tuna fish can and the beaker. One thing
always happened in experiment is uncertainty in the value which we measured. In this
investigation, we have the uncertainty in objects weight measurement when they in and out of
water. When we measured the weights, the objects did not stay put, so the force sensor showed
values in a small interval. The values were recorded as the guessing average values and that
leads to the different percentage between theoretical and measured buoyant force. This is a
reasonable result.