Applications of Buoyancy
The buoyancy force is a phenomenon that can be observed in a lot of places in real life and in nature. The force makes it possible for us to swim, and build machines like ships and planes. Let’s learn about some examples in more detail,
Hot Air Balloon
The atmosphere is filled with air, which is also a certain type of fluid. Hot air balloons uses the buoyancy effect. Air inside exerts a force on the balloon. The balloon rises up when the force exerted is more than the weight of the balloon and conversely, it descends when the force exerted is less than the weight of the balloon. Sometimes hot air balloons become stationary in mid-air, in that particular case, the weight of the balloon becomes equal to the force applied by the displaced liquid (air).
Ship
- The boat is designed in a way so that the shape of the boat is hollow. Due to the hollow shape, the density becomes less than the density of the sea. The volume of water displaced by the boat is equal to the weight of the boat and this helps the ship to float.
- Fishes stay buoyant underwater. Fishes have a special organ called a swim bladder that is usually filled with gases thus making the body lighter. This enables the fish to go up.
- Floatation of submarines in the water.
- To find the volume of the body.
- To keep swimmers on top of the water body.
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Buoyant Force
Buoyancy is a phenomenon due to the buoyant force that causes an object to float. When you put an object in a liquid, an upward force is exerted on the object by the liquid. This force is equal to the weight of the liquid that has been displaced. The amount of liquid that has been displaced depends upon the density and the volume of the object immersed in the liquid. Have you ever wondered why an iron nail sinks in water, but a ship made up of iron floats? And why does an iron ball sink but a plastic ball of the same size floats in water? These wonders happen due to the phenomenon known as Buoyancy. Let’s learn the buoyancy definition, buoyancy equation, and its examples in detail.
Table of Content
- What is Buoyant Force?
- What causes Buoyant Force?
- Archimedes’ Principle
- Formula for Archimedes’ Principle
- Derivation of the Formula
- Demonstration of Buoyant Force
- Why does an Object float or sink in the water?
- Types of Buoyancy
- Applications of Buoyancy
- Solved Examples on Buoyancy