BUOYANCY

Simulation Activity #7: Buoyancy

Simulation created by the Physics Education Technology Project (PhET)
c/o The University of Colorado at Boulder http://phet.colorado.edu/

Objective:
This activity is intended to enhance your physics education. We offer it as a
virtual lab online. We think it will help you make connections between

predictions and conclusions, concepts and actions, equations and actual

motions. We also think that if you give this activity a chance, it will be fun!
This is an opportunity to learn a great deal. Answer all questions as you
follow the procedure in running the simulation.
As you always do, be familiar with the simulation before you carry out the
activity. The Buoyancy simulation has two tabs, Intro and Buoyancy
playground. Using the Intro tab, you can practice seeing the difference
and/or similarities between two blocks by selecting same mass, same
volume, or same density. You can read the values for mass and/or Forces if
you check boxes under Readouts. The direction of forces can also be
visualized by checking boxes under the Show Forces. See if you have
differences in reading when you weigh a block in air and in one of the fluids,
oil or water.
When you use the Buoyancy playground tab, you will get all controlling
features with better options. From the top left display, you can choose the
type of material you want to work with or your own Block. For the chosen
object, you can adjust its mass and/or volume. You can also duplicate the
display if you choose two under Blocks from the top right corner. The
Fluid density can be controlled using the slide just under the fluid.

Introduction:
ARCHIMEDES PRINCIPLE: Any fluid applies a buoyant force to an object that is
partially or completely immersed in it; the magnitude of the buoyant force
equals the weight of the fluid that the object displaces:
Magnitude of buoyant force (FB) = Weight of fluid displace (Wfd)
Since the decrease in weight for an object measured in a fluid with higher
density than air is because of the buoyant force, the difference in weight
(W) is also equal to FB.
The weight of fluid displaced can explicitly written as follows,
Wfluid = mfdg = fdVfdg

For example, lets use the following information (related to simulation) to

verify Archimedes Principle.
Weight in air (Wa) is 98 N
Weight in water (Ww) is 49 N
The volume of water before immersion (V1) is 100 L
The volume of water after immersion (V2) is 105 L
The density of the Brick (b) is 2 kg/L
The density of water (w= fd) is 1 kg/L

Vfd = V = 105 L 100 L = 5 L

fd = 1kg/L , g = 9.8 m/s2
Therefore, Wfd = fdVfdg = (1kg/L) (5 L) (9.8 m/s2) = 49 N
It is also true that W = 98 N 49 N = 49 N
The effect that the buoyant force has depends on its strength compared with
the strengths of the other forces that are acting. For example, if the buoyant
force is strong enough to balance the force of gravity, an object will float in a
fluid.
Procedure I Buoyancy: Open Buoyancy playground
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/buoyancy

1. Click Reset All and use the settings below to answer followed
questions
a. Select Brick from the drop down menu found on the top left
display.
b. Change its volume to 4L. Did you see the mass is automatically
changed? Why? mass (mB) = _____ kg
c. Measure the weight of the block in air. WBA = ______ N

d. Measure the weight of the block in the fluid. WBF = _____ N

e. Calculate Buoyancy. FB = _____ N. verify your answer by checking
the box under show forces.
f. Calculate the density of the fluid used for this simulation.
2. Now, switch the Brick with Wood with the same 4L volume. Mass (m W)
= _____ kg
a. Drop the Wood in to the fluid. What happens to the wood?
b. What is the displaced fluid? Remember to record both levels of
the fluid, before and after the Wood dropped in the fluid. V =
_______ m3
c. Calculate Buoyancy. FB = _____ N
d.
3. Click Reset All and use the settings below to answer followed
questions
a. Select My Block from the menu on the top left display.
b. Set the volume and masses to 8L and 8kgs respectively.
c. Choose the fluid to be Honey and drop it in there. What is the
value of Buoyancy? FB = _____ N
d. What percentage of the volume of the My Block submerged in
the Honey fluid? Hint: First calculate the volume of Honey
displaced
4. Click Reset All and use the settings below to answer followed
questions
a. Select My Block from the menu on the top left display.
b. Set the volume and masses to 10L and 7kgs respectively.
c. Fill out the following Table
Fluid Type Buoyancy,
FB Displaced Volume Submerge part
(N)
(m3)
of the block
(%)
Air
Gasoline
Olive Oil
Water
Honey

5.

Click Reset All and use the following settings to answer the
associated questions
a. Choose two under Blocks on top right side of the simulation
display.
b. Now choose Wood and Brick on the two displays designated on
top left of the simulation,
c. Enter 2L for volume for both blocks.

d. Put both on the scale inside the fluid. Make sure you put the
Wood under the Brick to prevent the wood from floating.
e. What is displaced fluid? V = _____ m3
f. The total Buoyancy force. FB = _____ N
g. What is the reading on the scale? What is actually that reading
is?
Scale reads _______ N.
Show your calculation how to verify the reading.