1. What is Buoyant Force?

The buoyant force is the upward force exerted by a fluid on an immersed object. It equals the weight of the fluid displaced by the object, as described by Archimedes' principle.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the buoyancy equation:

Where:

• \( F_b \) — Buoyant force (N)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( V \) — Volume of displaced fluid (m³)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s² on Earth)

Explanation: The equation shows that buoyant force depends on the density of the fluid, the volume of fluid displaced, and the local gravitational acceleration.

3. Importance of Buoyancy Calculation

Details: Buoyancy calculations are essential for ship design, submarine operations, hot air ballooning, and understanding why objects float or sink in fluids.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter fluid density in kg/m³, displaced volume in m³, and gravitational acceleration in m/s². Standard gravity on Earth is 9.81 m/s².

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens if buoyant force equals weight?
A: When buoyant force equals the object's weight, the object will float neutrally, neither sinking nor rising.

Q2: Does buoyancy depend on object material?
A: No, buoyant force depends only on the fluid properties and displaced volume, not the object's material.

Q3: How does saltwater differ from freshwater?
A: Saltwater has higher density (≈1025 kg/m³ vs 1000 kg/m³), creating greater buoyant force for the same volume.

Q4: Why do ships float?
A: Ships displace a volume of water whose weight equals the ship's total weight, creating sufficient buoyant force.

Q5: How does buoyancy change with depth?
A: In incompressible fluids, buoyancy remains constant with depth. In compressible fluids (like air), buoyancy decreases with altitude.