Experiment No.

(3)

ARCHIMEDES’ PRINCIPLE AND BUOYANCY FORCE

EXPERIMENT
INTRODUCTION:

Archimedes' principle states that an object submerged in a fluid is

buoyed by a force that is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid. In this
lab, you are to do two experiments involving Archimedes’ principle
involving 1) a metal block submerged in water and 2) a helium-filled
balloon.

OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this lab
1. To measure the buoyant force on a number of objects.
2. To know how does changing the volume of an object that is
submerged in a fluid affect the buoyant force on the object.
3. To achieve Archimedes principle result

EQUIPMENTS:
1. Graduated cylinder.
2. Digital balance.
3. Vernier.
4. Ruler.
5. String.
6. Extra masses.
7. Beakers.
8. Jar.

THEORY:

Archimedes’ principle states that a body wholly or partially submerged in

a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal in magnitude to the weight of the
fluid displaced by the body. It is important to remember that fluid
includes liquids and gases. This force is given by:

ρ= => m = V ρ
where (rho) is the density of the fluid, V is the volume of fluid displaced
and g is acceleration due to gravity. It is the buoyant force that keeps
ships afloat in water and hot air balloons floating in air.

In this experiment, the buoyant force will be measured three ways and the
results compared. The first method is by the measurement of force. This
method involves weighing an object first in air, then in water, and using
the difference in weight as the buoyant force. Though the object's mass
does not change, its apparent weight will change when measured while
immersed in a fluid that is denser than air.

The second method is the displaced volume method. The volume of fluid
displaced by the object is measured and its weight calculated. The weight
of the water displaced is equal to the buoyant force exerted on the object,
by Archimedes' Principle.

The third method is by the buoyant force equation method. By measuring

the dimensions of the object and calculating the volume, one can
determine the buoyant force (by using q-1) that would be exerted on the
object when it is submerged in a fluid of known density .

Please note that for the third method, the volumes of interest are different
for objects that float and objects that sink.

Figure 1: Free-body diagram of a mass in a fluid.

Laboratory Procedure:
Part 1: TO Find Buoyancy Force of Liquid on immersed pieces
1. Find the mass of each pieces and Find the mass of the block piece and
the jar with water and convert it to weight.
2. Calculate losses weight of pieces in air and liquid
3.Calculate volume and weight of displaced liquid when pieces immersed
within, this will be equal to the force of buoyancy of liquid.

Part 2: (use beaker to increase the displaced volume of water)

1. Put one piece of masses in jar and notice how it will sink to the bottom
of jar.
2. Put the same mass in a specific beaker and notice how it submerged
partially in the jar.
3. now increase the masses in beakers until last point before beaker sink
in jar. Record that mass in your result, then Find the mass of beaker with
mass of piece and record it. Multiplying this mass with gravity
acceleration will represent the bouncy force Fb on the beaker.
4. Use Archimedes’ principle to check your result.
Use the Vernier caliper to measure the height and the diameter of one
Beaker to find the volume. Multiplying the volume with density of water
will produce the maximum mass which beaker can hold.

Readings:
Table 1. Result of part 1
Weight of piece in Weight of piece Losses of Weight of pieces Fb
Air (1) within Liquid (2) in air and liquid
of Liquid

Table 2. Result of part 2

Mass of beaker Mass of piece Total Fb = total mass x g
1
2
3

Table 3. Archimedes principle result

Volume of beaker Mass of water = ρwater x Fb = mass (water) x g
volume (displaced
water)

1
2
3

Discussion:
1. A 1000 cm3 gold brick (ρ = 19.3 g / cm3, so mass = 19.3 kg) and a
1000 cm3 aluminum brick (ρ = 2.7 g/cm3, so mass = 2.7 kg) are
immersed in water. Which brick experiences the greater buoyant
force? Justify your answer.
Find
2. Why is it easier to float in the sea than in a river or swimming
pool?
3. How can a ship made of steel (ρsteel = 7.88 g/cm3) float in water?

4. Explain how a hot air balloon flies.