How to Calculate Buoyant Force and Minimum Volume for Floating Object
What is buoyant force?
The buoyant force is the upward force exerted on an item that is fully or partially submerged in a fluid. This upward thrust is also known as an upthrust. Because of the buoyant force, a body submerged partially or entirely in a fluid appears to be lighter or to lose weight.
Answer:
The buoyant force is the force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an object immersed in the fluid. It is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. Buoyant force allows objects to float or to feel lighter when submerged in a fluid.
When an object is placed in a fluid, such as water, it displaces a certain volume of fluid. The buoyant force acting on the object is equal to the weight of the fluid that is displaced by the object. This buoyant force assists in keeping objects afloat in a fluid.
To calculate the buoyant force on an object, you can use the formula: Buoyant Force = Density of the fluid x Volume of the fluid displaced x Acceleration due to gravity.
In the case of a floating object like a styrofoam slab, the buoyant force helps it stay afloat by exerting an upward force equal to the weight of the water displaced by the slab. By understanding and calculating the buoyant force, you can determine the minimum volume required for an object to float without sinking.