15.4.2: Buoyancy
Following Olivia's thoughts, we assume that an object will displace an amount of water \(V_W\) such that the weight of water displaced is equal to the weight of the object. Let's test her first statement that an object with density equal to water, \(\rho_O/\rho_W=1\), will displace a volume equal to the object. \(V_W/V_O=1\). To do this
- Select the "Intro" simulation and choose a custom object.
- Set the object's mass and volume to equal values so that \(\rho_O=m_O/V_O = 1 kg/L\). Note this is the same density as water.
- Does your observation agree with Olivia?
Test her other hypotheses.
- \(\rho_O/\rho_W=0.5 \rightarrow V_W/V_O = 0.5\)
- \(\rho_O/\rho_W=1.5 \rightarrow V_W/V_O = 1.5\)
Do you draw the same conclusions as Olivia?