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Experiment 5
DISCUSSION:
W T B (1)
Figure 1: The forces on an
immersed body.
We can use this equation to find the buoyant force by weighing the body in water.
To find T, provided we suspend the body from the weighing scales using the string. The
buoyant force is equal to the weight of the displaced water. The volume of the displaced
water is the same as the volume of the body that is submerged. Therefore the ratio W / B
is the weight of the object to the weight of an equal volume, V of water. Keeping in mind
that weight is W=mg, dividing both numerator and denominator by gV, where g is the
acceleration due to gravity and the volumes are equal, we obtain the ratio of density of
the object to the density of water. That is,
Tupper
mb m b g W
Body
b Vb Vb g gVb W
(2)
w mw mw g B B Tlower
V V g
w w w gV
Sinker
Here b and w are the densities of the body of water
respectively. By definition, the density of water is exactly
1000 kg/m3, or 1 g/cm3and so Equation 2 can be used to Figure 2: A floating body setup
calculate the density of the body. with only sinker immersed.
5-1
If the body ordinarily floats in water, the buoyant force equals its weight. To be
able to use Equation 2 to determine the density, it is necessary that the body be
completely submerged in the water. We do so by attaching a sinker, as seen in Figure 2.
A tension Tlower in the lower string, along with the buoyant force on the sinker, supports
the sinker against the force of gravity. Note that this tension Tlower is the same whether the
body to be measured is covered with water or not, as long as the sinker is immersed. This
provides a straightforward way to measure the buoyant force B on the body.
First consider the beaker partly filled as shown in Figure 2. The water covers the
sinker but not the body. The only upward force on the body is Tupper. There are two
forces downward: Tlower and the weight Wb. Therefore
T upper B T lower W b
(4)
(5) Body
or Wb
Bs Tlower
T upper ,body immersed W b B Tlower
Sinker
Ws
The difference in these two measurements of Tupper
(Equations 5 and 3) is just B, the buoyant force of water on Figure 3: A floating body setup
the body. entirely submerged.
EXERCISES:
1
See the Appendix for accepted values.
1
5-2
d. Determine the percent difference between the accepted values1 and the densities
you found using Archimedes' Principle.
4. Determine the percent difference between your values using Archimedes' Principle
and those you found in Part 1.
6. Comment on how well or how poorly you estimated the densities and why.
1
2
See the Appendix for accepted values.
5-3
Data Sheet – Experiment 5
Part 1
Estimate of objects by density (greatest to least):
Part 2
Object Volume* Mass Density
V m d=m/V
(cm3) (grams) (grams/cm3)
Part 3
Object Weight in Weight in Buoyancy Density
air water W w
W T B=W-T d
B
(grams) (grams) (grams) (grams/cm3)
Part 4
Object Weight Weight Buoyancy Buoyancy Buoyancy Density
of w/both of both of sinker** of Body Wbody w
d
both submerged Bbody
W Tu, wet B=W-Tu,wet Bs Bbody=B-Bs (grams/cm3)
(grams) (grams) (grams) (grams) (grams)
5-4