1. What is Buoyant Force?

The buoyant force is the upward force exerted by a fluid on an immersed object. According to Archimedes' principle, the magnitude of this force is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the buoyant force formula:

Where:

• \( F_b \) — Buoyant force (N)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( V \) — Volume of fluid displaced (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 of fluid displaced by the object, and the local gravitational acceleration.

3. Importance of Buoyant Force

Details: Understanding buoyant force is crucial for designing ships, submarines, hot air balloons, and understanding why objects float or sink. It's fundamental in fluid mechanics and hydrostatic applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter fluid density in kg/m³ (water is ~1000 kg/m³), displaced volume in m³, and gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s² on Earth). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does buoyant force exist?
A: It results from the pressure difference between the top and bottom of the submerged object - greater pressure at greater depths pushes upward.

Q2: What happens if buoyant force equals weight?
A: The object will float at equilibrium, neither rising nor sinking (neutral buoyancy).

Q3: Does shape affect buoyant force?
A: Only the displaced volume matters, not the object's shape or material (as long as it's fully submerged).

Q4: How does saltwater differ from freshwater?
A: Saltwater is denser (~1025 kg/m³ vs 1000 kg/m³), creating greater buoyant force for the same volume.

Q5: Can buoyant force be greater than weight?
A: Yes, this causes objects to rise to the surface until displaced volume decreases enough to reach equilibrium.