1. What is Buoyant Force?

Definition: Buoyant 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 crucial in shipbuilding, submarine design, and fluid mechanics.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Archimedes' principle formula:

Where:

• \( F_b \) — Buoyant force (Newtons, N)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( V \) — Volume of fluid displaced (m³)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (m/s², default 9.81)

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

3. Importance of Buoyant Force Calculation

Details: Understanding buoyancy is essential for designing floating structures, determining cargo capacity of ships, and analyzing objects' behavior in fluids.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the buoyant force in water?
A: For water (ρ=1000 kg/m³), each cubic meter displaced creates about 9810 N of buoyant force (at g=9.81 m/s²).

Q2: How does saltwater differ from freshwater?
A: Saltwater is denser (ρ≈1025 kg/m³) so provides slightly more buoyancy than freshwater (ρ=1000 kg/m³).

Q3: What if my object is partially submerged?
A: Use only the submerged volume in your calculation.

Q4: How does buoyancy relate to floating?
A: An object floats when its weight equals the buoyant force (weight of displaced fluid).

Q5: Can I use this for gases?
A: Yes, but gas densities are much lower (e.g., air ρ≈1.225 kg/m³ at sea level).