1. What is Buoyancy Force in Physics?

Definition: Buoyancy force is the upward force exerted by a fluid on an immersed object, equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.

Purpose: This principle explains why objects float or sink and is fundamental in fluid mechanics and naval architecture.

2. How Does the Buoyancy Equation Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( F_b \) — Buoyancy force (Newtons)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( V \) — Volume of displaced fluid (m³)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s² on Earth)

Explanation: The buoyant force depends on the density of the fluid, the volume displaced by the object, and the local gravitational acceleration.

3. Importance of Buoyancy Force

Details: Understanding buoyancy is crucial for ship design, submarine operations, hot air balloons, and many engineering applications involving fluids.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the fluid density (e.g., 1000 kg/m³ for water), volume displaced, and gravity (default 9.81 m/s²). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the density of common fluids?
A: Fresh water ≈ 1000 kg/m³, seawater ≈ 1025 kg/m³, air ≈ 1.225 kg/m³ at sea level.

Q2: How do I find the displaced volume?
A: For fully submerged objects, it's the object's volume. For floating objects, it's the volume below the fluid surface.

Q3: Why does gravity affect buoyancy?
A: Buoyancy is essentially the weight of displaced fluid, and weight depends on gravity.

Q4: What if my object is floating?
A: The buoyant force equals the object's weight when floating (equilibrium condition).

Q5: Does shape affect buoyancy?
A: Only the displaced volume matters, not the object's shape (Archimedes' Principle).