Buoyancy

Front

What is buoyancy?

Back

Buoyancy is the ability of an object to float in a fluid (liquid or gas) due to the upward force exerted by the fluid.

Front

What is the buoyant force?

Back

The buoyant force is the upward force that a fluid exerts on an object placed in it, which opposes the weight of the object.

Front

What happens when the buoyant force is equal to the gravitational force?

Back

The object is neutrally buoyant, meaning it neither sinks nor floats.

Front

What happens when the buoyant force is greater than the gravitational force?

Back

The object floats.

Front

What happens when the gravitational force is greater than the buoyant force?

Back

The object sinks.

Front

What is density?

Back

Density is the mass of an object divided by its volume, usually expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³).

Front

What is the density of fresh water?

Back

The density of fresh water is 1 g/cm³.

Front

If an object has a density less than 1 g/cm³, what will happen when placed in fresh water?

Back

The object will float.

Front

If an object has a density greater than 1 g/cm³, what will happen when placed in fresh water?

Back

The object will sink.

Front

How can you make an object float if it currently sinks?

Back

You can increase the object's volume without increasing its mass, which decreases its overall density.