Buoyancy

Storyboard

When an object is submerged in a liquid medium, it experiences the pressure of that medium. Because pressure increases with depth, it is greater on the lower part of the object than on the upper part, creating a force upward toward the surface, known as buoyant force. If this force exceeds the object's gravity, it will rise to the surface and float. If it is less, it will slow down the rate of sinking but will continue to descend until it reaches the bottom.

>Model

ID:(1609, 0)



Buoyancy

Storyboard

When an object is submerged in a liquid medium, it experiences the pressure of that medium. Because pressure increases with depth, it is greater on the lower part of the object than on the upper part, creating a force upward toward the surface, known as buoyant force. If this force exceeds the object's gravity, it will rise to the surface and float. If it is less, it will slow down the rate of sinking but will continue to descend until it reaches the bottom.

Variables

Symbol
Text
Variable
Value
Units
Calculate
MKS Value
MKS Units
$V_w$
V_w
Ballast volume
m^3
$F_b$
F_b
Buoyancy force
N
$V_b$
V_b
Displaced volume
m^3
$S_s$
S_s
Floating body section
m^2
$F_g$
F_g
Gravitational Force
N
$\rho_w$
rho_w
Liquid density
kg/m^3
$M_s$
M_s
Mass of floating object
kg
$M_b$
M_b
Mass of the displaced liquid
kg
$\rho_s$
rho_s
Object Density
kg/m^3
$d$
d
Object draft
m
$V_s$
V_s
Object volume
m^3
$\Delta p$
Dp
Pressure at the base
Pa

Calculations


First, select the equation:   to ,  then, select the variable:   to 

Symbol
Equation
Solved
Translated

Calculations

Symbol
Equation
Solved
Translated

 Variable   Given   Calculate   Target :   Equation   To be used



Equations

Pressure is defined as:

equation=4342

The pressure difference is:

equation=4345

The section multiplied by the height of the body is equal to its volume:

equation=3792

Therefore, the buoyant force on a submerged body is:

$F_b = S \Delta p = \rho S \Delta h g = \rho V_s g$



That is:

equation

The buoyancy force ($F_b$) is determined by the liquid density ($\rho_w$), the displaced volume ($V_b$), and the gravitational Acceleration ($g$) as:

equation=11953

which opposes the gravitational Force ($F_g$) with the mass of floating object ($M_s$) according to:

equation=3241

therefore, with the mass of the displaced liquid ($M_b$) and the mass of floating object ($M_s$),

$F_b = \rho_w V_w g = M_w g = M_s g = F_g$



it follows that

equation

Given that with the mass of floating object ($M_s$) and the mass of the displaced liquid ($M_b$),

equation=11955

relates to the object Density ($\rho_s$) and the object volume ($V_s$) by

equation=3704.2

while it holds true that with the liquid density ($\rho_w$) and the ballast volume ($V_w$) we have

equation=12016

we obtain the relationship

equation

Since the displaced volume ($V_b$) is the submerged volume ($V_s$), but including the ballast volume ($V_w$), we have

equation=12015

and the equation for the liquid density ($\rho_w$) represented by

equation=3704.1

we can calculate the mass of the displaced liquid ($M_b$) as

equation

The buoyancy force ($F_b$) is determined by the liquid density ($\rho_w$), the displaced volume ($V_b$), and the gravitational Acceleration ($g$) as:

equation=11953

which opposes the gravitational Force ($F_g$) with the mass of floating object ($M_s$) as:

equation=3241

If both forces are equal:

equation

the object will float.


Examples


mechanisms

When an object hanging from a dynamometer is submerged in a liquid, it is observed that the force indicated by it decreases, indicating the existence of a buoyant force a buoyancy force ($F_b$) generated by the liquid.

image

When an object floats, the buoyant force the buoyancy force ($F_b$) must be equal to the gravitational Force ($F_g$), explaining why it neither sinks nor emerges.

To explain the lift experienced by a submerged body, it is necessary to study the vertical pressures to which it is exposed. Since the bottom face of the body is at a greater depth than the top face, the pressure at the bottom is greater than at the top, resulting in a net upward force that generates the observed lift. This phenomenon is similar when a body floats on the surface, where there is no water pressure on it; again, it is the pressure at the bottom that generates lift.

image

Therefore, in the case where the body is submerged, we obtain:

$\Delta p = p_2 - p_1 = \rho_w g h_2-\rho_w g h_1=\rho_w g (h_2 - h_1) = \rho_w g d$



Or similarly on the surface:

equation=15484

Finally, the lift force is obtained using the definition of pressure, which for the pressure at the base ($\Delta p$) with the buoyancy force ($F_b$) and the floating body section ($S_s$) corresponds to:

equation=4342

A body floats if the buoyant force the buoyancy force ($F_b$) equals the weight of the body the gravitational Force ($F_g$):

equation=13406

This implies that the relationship between the mass of floating object ($M_s$) and the mass of the displaced liquid ($M_b$) establishes:

equation=11955

Which corresponds to the principle of Archimedes [1].

image

which states:

Any floating object displaces its own weight in liquid.

[1] "Peri ton eightumenon" (On floating bodies), Archimedes, 287 to 212 BC.

Given that with the mass of floating object ($M_s$) and the mass of the displaced liquid ($M_b$),

equation=11955

relates to the object Density ($\rho_s$) and the object volume ($V_s$) by

equation=3704.2

while it holds true that with the liquid density ($\rho_w$) and the ballast volume ($V_w$) we have

equation=12016

we obtain the relationship

equation=11978

Therefore, an object with a higher density than water can float as long as it has a low volume of air below the waterline (surface of the water). In the case of a boat, this is the space occupied by cargo and/or passengers, while in a submarine, it is the ballast tanks, and in a fish, it is the swim bladder.

It is important to note that:

For a submerged object, suspension, ascent, or descent does not depend on the depth at which it is located. However, the ability to pump air into the ballast tank or swim bladder does depend on the surrounding pressure.



The density of water is not homogeneous in the sea, which means that a submerged object has to adjust the volume of air used in the ballast tank or swim bladder as it moves.

Submarines and fish have the ability to adjust the depth at which they remain in the water. They can ascend to the surface (float) or descend, limited only by the pressure they can withstand. They achieve this by using ballast tanks (in submarines) and swim bladders (in fish), which are spaces where air can expand, occupying a greater volume of displaced water.

To achieve this, the equality between the mass of the displaced liquid ($M_b$) and the mass of floating object ($M_s$) can be rewritten in terms of the liquid density ($\rho_w$), the object Density ($\rho_s$), and the object volume ($V_s$), allowing for the adjustment of the ballast volume ($V_w$):

equation=11978

allowing one to be equal to or exceed the other. In summary, if the ballast volume ($V_w$) is increased, buoyancy increases, causing ascent; reducing the volume results in descent. If the volume remains the same, they remain suspended.

image

An interesting study on how whales use the Spermaceti organ to control buoyancy through heat and fats can be read in the study Buoyancy Control as a Function of the Spermaceti Organ in the Sperm Whale by Malcolm R. Clarke, published in J.mar.bio.Ass U.K. (1978) 58, 27-71.


model

The volume ($V$) out of ERROR:5205.1 that does not vary along the height ($h$) is equal to

kyon

The expression holds even if the shape, but not the value, of section the section ($S$) varies along the height, as long as its total area remains constant.

The water column pressure ($p$) is calculated from the column force ($F$) and the column Section ($S$) as follows:

kyon

The the pressure at the base ($\Delta p$) that exists in the deepest plane of the body is with the object draft ($d$), the liquid density ($\rho_w$), and the gravitational Acceleration ($g$) then:

kyon

The buoyancy force ($F_b$) can be expressed in terms of the displaced volume ($V_b$), the liquid density ($\rho_w$), and the gravitational Acceleration ($g$) with:

kyon

Note: The volume considered here is the submerged volume. If the body is not fully submerged, only the volume corresponding to the displaced liquid should be considered.

The gravitational Force ($F_g$) is based on the gravitational mass ($m_g$) of the object and on a constant reflecting the intensity of gravity at the planet's surface. The latter is identified by the gravitational Acceleration ($g$), which is equal to $9.8 m/s^2$.

Consequently, it is concluded that:

kyon

If the gravitational Force ($F_g$) is equal to the buoyancy force ($F_b$):

kyon

the object will float.

If the buoyancy force ($F_b$) and the gravitational Force ($F_g$) are equal, the object will float. In this case, it means that the mass of floating object ($M_s$) must be equal to the mass of the displaced liquid ($M_b$), resulting in:

kyon

Note: this relationship is only possible if the object 'weighs less than water', which means the displaced water occupies an equal or greater volume than the object.

The density ($\rho$) is defined as the ratio between the mass ($M$) and the volume ($V$), expressed as:

kyon

This property is specific to the material in question.

The density ($\rho$) is defined as the ratio between the mass ($M$) and the volume ($V$), expressed as:

kyon

This property is specific to the material in question.

When a body is submerged, the ballast volume ($V_w$) in ballast tank is included with the object volume ($V_s$) in the displaced volume ($V_b$) total. Therefore, we have:

kyon

With the volume of displaced water equal to the sum of the ballast volume ($V_w$) and the submerged volume ($V_s$), which can be calculated with the liquid density ($\rho_w$), the mass of the displaced liquid ($M_b$) can be determined:

kyon

The float condition is with the ballast volume ($V_w$), the liquid density ($\rho_w$), the object Density ($\rho_s$) and the object volume ($V_s$):

kyon


>Model

ID:(1609, 0)



Mechanisms

Definition


ID:(15480, 0)



Lift

Image

When an object hanging from a dynamometer is submerged in a liquid, it is observed that the force indicated by it decreases, indicating the existence of a buoyant force a buoyancy force ($F_b$) generated by the liquid.



When an object floats, the buoyant force the buoyancy force ($F_b$) must be equal to the gravitational Force ($F_g$), explaining why it neither sinks nor emerges.

ID:(11951, 0)



Pressure around a submerged body

Note

To explain the lift experienced by a submerged body, it is necessary to study the vertical pressures to which it is exposed. Since the bottom face of the body is at a greater depth than the top face, the pressure at the bottom is greater than at the top, resulting in a net upward force that generates the observed lift. This phenomenon is similar when a body floats on the surface, where there is no water pressure on it; again, it is the pressure at the bottom that generates lift.



Therefore, in the case where the body is submerged, we obtain:

$\Delta p = p_2 - p_1 = \rho_w g h_2-\rho_w g h_1=\rho_w g (h_2 - h_1) = \rho_w g d$



Or similarly on the surface:



Finally, the lift force is obtained using the definition of pressure, which for the pressure at the base ($\Delta p$) with the buoyancy force ($F_b$) and the floating body section ($S_s$) corresponds to:

ID:(11952, 0)



Archimedes' principle

Quote

A body floats if the buoyant force the buoyancy force ($F_b$) equals the weight of the body the gravitational Force ($F_g$):



This implies that the relationship between the mass of floating object ($M_s$) and the mass of the displaced liquid ($M_b$) establishes:



Which corresponds to the principle of Archimedes [1].



which states:

Any floating object displaces its own weight in liquid.

[1] "Peri ton eightumenon" (On floating bodies), Archimedes, 287 to 212 BC.

ID:(11956, 0)



Air volume below float level

Exercise

Given that with the mass of floating object ($M_s$) and the mass of the displaced liquid ($M_b$),



relates to the object Density ($\rho_s$) and the object volume ($V_s$) by



while it holds true that with the liquid density ($\rho_w$) and the ballast volume ($V_w$) we have



we obtain the relationship



Therefore, an object with a higher density than water can float as long as it has a low volume of air below the waterline (surface of the water). In the case of a boat, this is the space occupied by cargo and/or passengers, while in a submarine, it is the ballast tanks, and in a fish, it is the swim bladder.

It is important to note that:

For a submerged object, suspension, ascent, or descent does not depend on the depth at which it is located. However, the ability to pump air into the ballast tank or swim bladder does depend on the surrounding pressure.



The density of water is not homogeneous in the sea, which means that a submerged object has to adjust the volume of air used in the ballast tank or swim bladder as it moves.

ID:(15706, 0)



Floatation methods

Equation

Submarines and fish have the ability to adjust the depth at which they remain in the water. They can ascend to the surface (float) or descend, limited only by the pressure they can withstand. They achieve this by using ballast tanks (in submarines) and swim bladders (in fish), which are spaces where air can expand, occupying a greater volume of displaced water.

To achieve this, the equality between the mass of the displaced liquid ($M_b$) and the mass of floating object ($M_s$) can be rewritten in terms of the liquid density ($\rho_w$), the object Density ($\rho_s$), and the object volume ($V_s$), allowing for the adjustment of the ballast volume ($V_w$):



allowing one to be equal to or exceed the other. In summary, if the ballast volume ($V_w$) is increased, buoyancy increases, causing ascent; reducing the volume results in descent. If the volume remains the same, they remain suspended.

An interesting study on how whales use the Spermaceti organ to control buoyancy through heat and fats can be read in the study Buoyancy Control as a Function of the Spermaceti Organ in the Sperm Whale by Malcolm R. Clarke, published in J.mar.bio.Ass U.K. (1978) 58, 27-71.

ID:(11958, 0)



Model

Script


ID:(15482, 0)