Physlet Illustration: Archimedes' Principle

 

 

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A metallic object hangs from a digital balance, which reads the object's mass in grams. The object is suspended above a graduated cylinder containing water. The grid is such that each grid square represents a volume increment of 1 cm3. Lower the apparatus into the water, and verify Archimedes' Principle.

Hints:

  1. What are the balance readings before and after the object is immersed in the water?
  2. From the difference in these readings, what is the buoyant force on the immersed object?
  3. What are the water levels in the cylinder before and after the object is immersed in the water?
  4. From the difference in these readings, what is the volume of water displaced by the object?
  5. Since the density of water is 1 gm/cm3, what is the weight of the water displaced by the object?
  6. Can you determine the density of the metallic object?

Reference

See Walker, Section 15-4

Illustration written by Steve Mellema