Understanding Fluid Displacement: The Difference Between Floating and Sinking

In summary, the conversation discusses various actions and their effects on the water level in a small pond. The actions include popping a helium balloon, lowering an anchor, letting a balloon escape, sinking a tackle box, floating in the water, and drinking water from the pond. The Archimedes principle states that the buoyant force of a floating object is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid. The difference between a body floating and sinking is that when a body is floating, it is not displacing any fluid, but when it sinks, it creates a big hole in the fluid and displaces it.
  • #1
yuvlevental
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Homework Statement


A fisherman and his young nephew are in a boat on a small pond. Both are wearing life jackets. The nephew is holding a large helium filled balloon by a string. Consider each action below independently and indicate whether the level of the water in the pond, Rises, Falls, is Unchanged or Cannot tell.

The nephew pops the helium balloon.
The fisherman lowers the anchor and it hangs one foot above the bottom of the pond.
The nephew gets in the water, looses his grip on the string, letting the balloon escape upwards.
The fisherman knocks the tackle box overboard and it sinks to the bottom.
The fisherman lowers himself in the water and floats on his back.
The fisherman fills a glass with water from the pond and drinks it.

Homework Equations


Archimedes principle: buoyant force of a floating object is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid

The Attempt at a Solution


This is my question: How does the volume of fluid displaced by a body which `floats' differ from that for a body which sinks? I have no idea
 
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  • #2
i really need help its urgent
 
  • #3
3. if a body is only floating on the surface, it is not displacing anything. it might as well not be there. if the body sinks down into the fluid, then the fluid basically has a big hole in it filled by this body and the fluid is 'displaced.'
 

1. What is Archimedes' principle?

Archimedes' principle states that the buoyant force exerted on an object immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid that the object displaces.

2. What is the significance of Archimedes' principle?

Archimedes' principle is important in understanding why objects float or sink in fluids, and it is also used in many practical applications such as shipbuilding and determining the purity of substances.

3. How is Archimedes' principle related to density?

Archimedes' principle is directly related to density because the buoyant force is dependent on the density of the fluid and the volume of the object, as stated in the equation Fb = ρVg, where ρ is the density of the fluid, V is the volume of the displaced fluid, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

4. Can Archimedes' principle be applied to any fluid?

Yes, Archimedes' principle can be applied to any fluid, whether it is a liquid or a gas. However, it is important to note that the density of the fluid must remain constant for the principle to hold true.

5. How is Archimedes' principle used in everyday life?

Archimedes' principle has many practical applications in everyday life, such as determining the buoyancy of ships and submarines, designing life jackets and flotation devices, and even in determining the purity of gold and other precious metals through the use of the Archimedes' principle-based method known as hydrostatic weighing.

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