Archimedes principle explained

In summary, Archimedes principle is a scientific law that explains the relationship between the volume of an object and the amount of water it displaces when submerged in water. It was used by Archimedes to determine the difference in density between silver and gold. By immersing a lump of each metal in water, he found that the silver lump displaced a greater volume of water, indicating that it had a lower density than gold. This means that even if two objects have the same volume, they can still have different densities and displace different amounts of water.
  • #1
roger5
21
0
Can somebody explain Achimedes principle to me? Where he used it to determine the difference in density between silver and gold. Apparently he immersed a lump of gold and silver in water (I assume they were the same size/volume) and each lump displaced a different volume of water. Is that the correct story? If it is, how can two objects with the same volume displace a different amount of water?
 
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  • #2
The pieces of gold and silver did not have the same volume, they had the same mass.

The silver is obviously less dense, therefore has a greater volume, therefore displaces more water.
 
  • #3
That's what I thought. Thanks
 

Related to Archimedes principle explained

1.

What is Archimedes' principle and how does it work?

Archimedes' principle states that the buoyant force on an object submerged in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid that the object displaces. This means that when an object is placed in a fluid, it will experience an upward force equal to the weight of the fluid it has displaced. This principle works because fluids, such as water, are able to exert pressure in all directions, including upward.

2.

What is the significance of Archimedes' principle?

Archimedes' principle is significant because it helps us understand the behavior of objects in fluids and is the basis for many important scientific principles, such as buoyancy and fluid mechanics. It also has practical applications, such as in shipbuilding and designing flotation devices.

3.

What are the factors that affect the buoyant force according to Archimedes' principle?

The buoyant force on an object is affected by the density of the fluid and the volume of fluid displaced. The greater the density of the fluid, the greater the buoyant force. Similarly, the greater the volume of fluid displaced, the greater the buoyant force.

4.

How is Archimedes' principle related to the concept of buoyancy?

Archimedes' principle is directly related to the concept of buoyancy, which is the upward force experienced by an object in a fluid. According to Archimedes' principle, the buoyant force is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced, which is what causes objects to float or sink in a fluid.

5.

Can Archimedes' principle be applied to objects in non-uniform fluids?

Yes, Archimedes' principle can be applied to objects in non-uniform fluids, such as gases or liquids with varying densities. In these cases, the buoyant force is still equal to the weight of the fluid displaced, but the density of the fluid may vary at different depths. This principle can also be applied to objects in multiple fluids, such as a submarine diving into the ocean, as long as the overall buoyant force is still equal to the weight of the displaced fluid.

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