Siena College of Tigaon, Inc.

Gingaroy, Tigaon, Camarines Sur

Fluid Mechanics
2nd Semester, SY 2020-202

LESSON NO.
Title : Buoyancy and Archimedes Principle

This learning module will supplement discussions in Giancoli, D.(2004). Physics

Principles with Applications, 6th Edition, USA. Pearson Education Inc. pp .

I-OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lessons, students should be able to:
1. Define buoyant force ;
2. Determine condition for floating and sinking in the water.
3. Explain Archimedes Principle.

II- LESSON PROPER

Objects submerged in a fluid appear to weigh less than they do when outside
the fluid. For example, a large rock that you would have difficulty lifting off the
ground can be easily lifted from the bottom of a stream. When the rock breaks
through the surface of the water, it suddenly seems to be much heavier. Many
objects, such as wood, float on the surface of water. These are two examples of
buoyancy. In each example, the force of gravity is acting downward. But in addition,
an upward buoyant force is exerted by the liquid. The buoyant force on fish and
underwater divers almost exactly balances the force of gravity downward, and allows
them to “hover” in equilibrium.

Lesson 8:Buoyancy 1
 Figure 1. Buoyancy and gravitational force acting on object.

The buoyant force occurs because the pressure in a fluid increases with depth.
Thus the upward pressure on the bottom surface of a submerged object is greater
than the downward pressure on its top surface.

Buoyancy was discovered by Archimedis, a Greek. Archimedes’ principle: states

that the buoyant force on an object immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight of
the fluid displaced by that object.

By “fluid displaced”, we mean a volume of fluid equal to the volume of the

submerged object, or that part of the object submerged if it floats or is only partly
submerged (the fluid that is used to be where the object is). If the object is placed in
a glass or tub initially filled to the brim with water, the water that flows over the top
represents the water displaced by the object.

Lesson 8:Buoyancy 2
 Figure 2. Buoyant force as defined.

Archimedes’ principle applies equally well to objects that float, such as wood.
Take note of these concepts:
1) an object floats on a fluid if its density is less than that of the fluid.
2) when floating-- the buoyant force on an object has magnitude equal to the
weight of the object.
3) A object sink in the fluid if its density is greater than the fluid
4) An object is suspended in the liquid column, when its density is equal
the fluid.

III- EVALUATION:
1. In your own words explain: (5 pts each)
A) Buoyant force
B) Archimedes principle

IV- Assignment:
Write a short explanation how submarines can float and sink in the ocean. (5 pts).

Lesson 8:Buoyancy 3