1. What is the Buoyant Force Equation?

Definition: The buoyant force equation calculates the upward force exerted by a fluid on an immersed object.

Purpose: It helps determine whether objects will float or sink and is fundamental in fluid mechanics and ship design.

2. How Does the Equation Work?

The equation uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The buoyant force equals the weight of the fluid displaced by the object (Archimedes' Principle).

3. Importance of Buoyant Force Calculation

Details: Understanding buoyancy is crucial for designing ships, submarines, flotation devices, and understanding natural phenomena.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the density of water?
A: Fresh water is about 1000 kg/m³, seawater about 1025 kg/m³ at standard conditions.

Q2: How do I find 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 is gravity included?
A: Buoyant force depends on the weight of displaced fluid, which is mass times gravity.

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

Q5: Does shape affect buoyant force?
A: No, only the displaced volume and fluid density matter (Archimedes' Principle).