OBJECTIVES

The objective of this experiment is to investigate and test Archimedes principle

by directly measuring the buoyant force acting on a submerged object. This will be done for a
number of different materials. We will also determine the specific gravity for these materials.

PROCEDURES
1. Weight of an empty beaker was recorded.
2. Then, hang the spring balance at the arm of retort stand.
3. Hang the spring balance to tie the block.
4. The weight of the block in the air was recorded as Figure 1.
5. Fill the eureka beaker with water and place it on the spring balance.
6. Set up the apparatus as Figure 2.
7. Lower the arm of the retort stand and tied with the block gently.
8. Let the block arise in water.
9. The weight of the block was recorded.
10. Water will be displaced from eureka beaker when the sample is immersed is caught into
other beaker.
11. Take the mass reading of the displaced water in the beaker.
12. Repeat the experiment for the other blocks.

APPARATUS
1. Retort Stand

2. Spring Balance

3. 3 Set of Block (Wood,Metal,Plastic)

Plastic

Metal

Wood

4. Beaker

5. Eureka Beaker

QUESTION

1. a) Why do some objects float when placed in water ?

- This has to do with density, which is mass divided by volume. Some objects start out with
a density of less than water (1 gram per cubic centimeter), so they float naturally (like
wood, oil, etc.). With things like steel boats and so forth we have to cheat. The
construction design needs to make the overall volume of the boat big enough so that the
crafts resulting effective density is less than that of water. This works real well, and there
are lots of boats made of high density materials which float, even though the stuff they

are constructed from doesnt.

b) Why do some objects sink when placed in water ?
Objects sink in water if they are denser than water. Density is the ratio of the mass of the

object to its volume. If an object is less dense as compared to water, the object will float.
2. From the experiment, which block has a greater buoyant force for it float ?
- Plastic

CONCLUSION
After analyzing our data, I conclude that there is a relationship between the weight of
water displaced by an object and the buoyant force exerted on the object. We also determined
that the density of water could be found using the slope of the best fit line. Obviously the density

of water would never change when only change the material in used when measuring. I think
with this data it is safe to conclude that the relationship of the weight of the fluid displaced and
the force exerted by the fluid is clear.

RESULT

Weight of
block (N)

Types of

Mass of

Significant
Weight of

beaker

loss of
water

Block

with

In
In
the
the
air

%
block

displaced
displaced

Error
weight

(N)
water (g)

FB

T1-T2

water
T1
T2 (N)
(N)
Wood
0.8
0N
358.40
Plastic
1.6
0.4N
373.58
Metal
9.2
8N
368.39
a. Mass of empty beaker = 329.90 g

28.5
43.68
38.49

0.8
1.2
1.2

97.19
97.25
96.88

b.

CALCULATIONS
Weight of water displaced (N) : Mass of beaker with displaced water (g) Mass of empty water (g)
Wood

: 358.40g - 329.90g = 28.50g

Plastic

: 373.58g 329.90g = 43.68g

Metal

: 368.39g 329.90g = 38.49g

Significant loss of block weight : FB = T1 T2

Wood

: 0.8 N 0N = 0.8N

Plastic

: 1.6N 0.4N = 1.2N

Metal

: 9.2N 8.0N = 1.2N

% Error : Weight of water displaced (N) FB 100%

Weight of water displaced

Wood

: 28.5 0.8 100% = 97.19

28.5

Plastic

: 43.68 1.2 100% = 97.25

43.68

Metal

: 38.49 1.2 100% = 96.88

38.49