1. What is the Center of Buoyancy?

The Center of Buoyancy (CB) is the centroid of the displaced volume of fluid by a floating or submerged body. For simple rectangular shapes, it's located at half the height of the submerged portion.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple equation for rectangular shapes:

Where:

• \( CB \) — Center of Buoyancy (m)
• \( h \) — Height of the submerged portion (m)

Explanation: For a rectangular shape, the center of buoyancy is always at the midpoint of the submerged height.

3. Importance of Center of Buoyancy Calculation

Details: The center of buoyancy is crucial for determining the stability of floating objects. It works in conjunction with the center of gravity to determine if an object will remain stable or capsize.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the height of the submerged portion in meters. The value must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this equation work for all shapes?
A: No, this simple equation only works for rectangular shapes. More complex shapes require integration over the submerged volume.

Q2: How does CB relate to stability?
A: For stable floating, the center of gravity must be below the center of buoyancy. The greater the distance between them, the more stable the object.

Q3: What if the object is partially submerged?
A: The calculation still applies - h would be the height of the submerged portion only.

Q4: Does water density affect CB?
A: No, the position of CB depends only on the geometry of the submerged volume, not the fluid properties.

Q5: How is CB different for irregular shapes?
A: For irregular shapes, CB is calculated as the centroid of the displaced fluid volume, which may require 3D integration.