1. What is Buoyancy?

Buoyancy is the upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an immersed object. According to Archimedes' principle, the buoyant force is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the buoyancy formula:

Where:

• \( \rho \) — Density of the fluid (kg/m³)
• \( V \) — Volume of the displaced fluid (m³)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.8 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 Buoyancy Calculation

Details: Buoyancy calculations are essential in ship design, submarine operations, hot air ballooning, and understanding why objects float or sink. It's fundamental in fluid mechanics and hydrodynamics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter fluid density in kg/m³, displaced volume in m³, and gravitational acceleration in m/s² (9.8 m/s² on Earth). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between buoyancy and buoyant force?
A: They are essentially the same - the upward force exerted by a fluid on an immersed object.

Q2: How does saltwater affect buoyancy?
A: Saltwater is denser (about 1025 kg/m³) than freshwater (1000 kg/m³), so objects float higher in saltwater.

Q3: Why do some objects float while others sink?
A: If an object's average density is less than the fluid's density, it will float; otherwise, it will sink.

Q4: Does shape affect buoyancy?
A: Only indirectly - shape affects how much fluid is displaced, which determines the buoyant force.

Q5: What's the buoyant force in space?
A: In microgravity (space), buoyancy doesn't occur because there's no effective gravity to create the force.