Question regarding Bouyancy in Water

In summary, the shape, density, volume, and density of the surrounding water all play a role in determining the buoyancy of an object in water. The depth of the water does not affect the buoyant force on an object, and an object can sink in water even if it is less dense than water. The temperature of water also has a minor impact on an object's buoyancy, as extreme temperatures can affect the density of certain materials.
  • #1
Ralith
3
0
This has been bugging me for a bit. Take two, identical, rigid containers. Fill one with helium at the level in say... a balloon? Then take the other one, and suck all the air out. Take them to the bottom of a container of water- Which will go up quicker?
 
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  • #2
Assuming the vacuum one doesn't crush - it will weigh slightly less than the helium one and so rise faster.
If you could make the envolope strong enough, 'nothing' is the best thing to fill an airship with.
 
  • #3
Thanks. Thought so, but wasn't sure.
 

Related to Question regarding Bouyancy in Water

1. How does an object's shape affect its buoyancy in water?

The shape of an object plays a significant role in its buoyancy in water. Objects that are more streamlined and have a larger surface area will experience less drag and therefore be more buoyant in water. In contrast, objects with irregular shapes and smaller surface areas will experience more drag and be less buoyant in water.

2. What factors determine the buoyancy of an object in water?

The buoyancy of an object in water is determined by its density, volume, and the density of the surrounding water. An object will float if its density is less than the density of water, whereas it will sink if its density is greater than the density of water.

3. How does the depth of water affect the buoyant force on an object?

The depth of water does not affect the buoyant force on an object. According to Archimedes' principle, the buoyant force acting on an object is equal to the weight of the displaced water, and this remains constant regardless of the depth of the water.

4. Can an object sink in water even if it is less dense than water?

Yes, an object can sink in water even if it is less dense than water. This can happen if the object's shape or size results in it displacing less water than its weight. For example, a large piece of foam may be less dense than water but can still sink if it is not large enough to displace a sufficient amount of water to counteract its weight.

5. How does the temperature of water affect the buoyancy of an object?

The temperature of water does not have a significant impact on the buoyancy of an object. However, cold water is slightly more dense than warm water, so objects may experience slightly more buoyancy in warm water compared to cold water. Additionally, extreme temperatures can affect the density of some materials, which can impact an object's overall buoyancy in water.

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