Buoyancy and Archimedes Principle
Use this simulation to explore how objects float. Be sure to pay attention to the data and use the scales! This data will be useful when you try to set a new FLEET high score.
Problems running the simulation? See below.
Things to Explore
1. Use the Intro version of the simulator for the two questions below. You can click and hold a block to move them, you can even hold them underwater if you want.
A. What is the volume and weight of the brick block? How much force does gravity pull on the block?
B. What is the volume and weight of the wood block? How much force does gravity pull on the block?
2. Use the bottom left checkboxes to turn on the force diagram arrows and add the force values too.
A. Diagram the forces that are shown when one block is in the water.
B. Diagram the forces on each block when you stack two blocks on top of each other in the water.
3. Click the tab in the upper left for "Buoyancy Playground." This will give you access to more variables to manipulate.
4. Click the "Two" button under Blocks so that you can experiment with two blocks. (If you want to design your own material, click "My Block" in the upper left corner.)
5. Create a data table that records the density, the displacement, the force of gravity, and any other variables you determine are relevant to answer the questions below.
Questions & Design Challenges:
A. What is the difference in the force of gravity on one 10-kg brick block and on two stacked 5-kg brick blocks?
B. What are two ways that you can make the cube of aluminum float?
C. Design a material that has the least surface area contact with the water.
D. Design a material that just barely floats in water.
E. Design a material that just barely floats in honey.
F. Draw a force diagram with one wet block and one dry block. One block will be floating in water, the dry block will be stacked on top of the first block. Be sure to document all the forces.
Connecting to FLEET
6. Now talk about density and buoyancy forces in relation to FLEET.
A. What do you think the density of your ship is?
B. How would you arrange the materials in your boat to have the greatest buoyancy?
C. How would you arrange the materials in your boat to have buoyancy and stability?
Extra time?
Challenge 1: Make the wooden block hit the "scale" that measures forces in the water then bounce off it.
Challenge 2: Make the wooden block rest on the "scale" that measures forces in the water but exert less than 1N of force.
Challenge 3: Watch the first minute of this video from the Physics girl, then use this simulation to think through the possible solutions.
Problems running the simulator?
If "Click to Run", does not work for you, ensure you have a version of Flash or download it here.
Windows |
Macintosh |
Linux |
Microsoft Windows
XP/Vista/7/8.1/10
Macromedia Flash 9 or later
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OS X 10.9.5 or later
Macromedia Flash 9 or later
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Macromedia Flash 9 or later
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