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When an object is put into a liquid, it experiences a buoyant force that is equal to the weight of the liquid the object displaces. Restart. The force on the wire is given (position is given in centimeters and force is given in Newtons). You can change the mass of the block between 1/8 and 3/8 of a kilogram (between 0.125 kg and 0.375 kg) and the density of the liquid from 500 kg/m3 and 1000 kg/m3.
What is the weight of the block and the tension on the string when the block is in the liquid? Therefore, what is the value of the buoyant force? The buoyant force and tension in the string (as measured as the force on the support wire) act upward and the weight acts down.
What is the volume of the block in the liquid-- either the part of the block if the block is partially submerged when you paused it or the entire block if it is completely submerged (the dimension of the block that is into the screen is 5 cm)?
What is the volume of the water that is displaced by the block (the dimension of both water containers into the screen is 10 cm)? Verify that this is equal to the answer above.
What is the mass of the liquid displaced? What is the weight of the liquid displaced? Check that this is equal to the buoyant force.
Pick two different masses and densities and verify that the buoyant force is equal to the weight of the water displaced.
Exploration by Anne J. Cox
© 2003 by Prentice-Hall, Inc. A Pearson Company