Are My Buoyancy Questions Really That Confusing?

Thread starter holly
Start date Mar 10, 2004
Tags

Buoyancy

In summary, Holly is using Spring Break to try to consolidate information in a course she is taking. She has two questions from a chapter on fluid dynamics unanswered: is gas pressure inside an inflated stretched balloon actually less than air pressure outside the balloon or greater, and why does buoyant force act upward on a submerged object? She thinks (b) sounds most reasonable, but then again, if the B.F. is really greater, wouldn't it be floating, not submerged? Correct choice. The other question seems to be worded funny. The reason that buoyant force acts upward on a submerged object is that the weight of the fluid displaced reacts with an upward force.

Mar 13, 2004

cookiemonster

"Ask a Stupid Quetion Get a Stupid Answer," lofty physics indeed!

cookiemonster

<h2> What is buoyancy?</h2><p>Buoyancy is the upward force exerted by a fluid on an object that is partially or completely submerged in the fluid. It is caused by the difference in pressure between the top and bottom of the object.</p><h2> How is buoyancy calculated?</h2><p>Buoyancy is calculated by multiplying the density of the fluid by the volume of the displaced fluid and the gravitational acceleration. This is known as Archimedes' principle.</p><h2> What is the difference between positive and negative buoyancy?</h2><p>Positive buoyancy occurs when the buoyant force is greater than the weight of the object, causing it to float. Negative buoyancy occurs when the weight of the object is greater than the buoyant force, causing it to sink.</p><h2> How does the shape of an object affect its buoyancy?</h2><p>The shape of an object can affect its buoyancy by changing the amount of fluid it displaces. A more streamlined shape will displace less fluid and have less buoyancy, while a more irregular shape will displace more fluid and have more buoyancy.</p><h2> What factors can affect the buoyancy of an object?</h2><p>The buoyancy of an object can be affected by its density, volume, and the density of the fluid it is submerged in. The gravitational acceleration and the shape of the object can also play a role in determining its buoyancy.</p>

FAQ: Are My Buoyancy Questions Really That Confusing?

What is buoyancy?

Buoyancy is the upward force exerted by a fluid on an object that is partially or completely submerged in the fluid. It is caused by the difference in pressure between the top and bottom of the object.

How is buoyancy calculated?

Buoyancy is calculated by multiplying the density of the fluid by the volume of the displaced fluid and the gravitational acceleration. This is known as Archimedes' principle.

What is the difference between positive and negative buoyancy?

Positive buoyancy occurs when the buoyant force is greater than the weight of the object, causing it to float. Negative buoyancy occurs when the weight of the object is greater than the buoyant force, causing it to sink.

How does the shape of an object affect its buoyancy?

The shape of an object can affect its buoyancy by changing the amount of fluid it displaces. A more streamlined shape will displace less fluid and have less buoyancy, while a more irregular shape will displace more fluid and have more buoyancy.

What factors can affect the buoyancy of an object?

The buoyancy of an object can be affected by its density, volume, and the density of the fluid it is submerged in. The gravitational acceleration and the shape of the object can also play a role in determining its buoyancy.