ARCHIMEDES PRINCIPLE

FUNDERMENTALS OF PHYSICS
PHY 1025L 66265

ARCHIMEDES PRINCIPLE
Uyen Tran
Date Performed: March 2, 2015
Abstract
Three experiments were displayed to study about buoyant force and clarify that for a totally
submerged object, the volume of displaced fluid is equal to the volume of the object. First, three
metal balls made from steel, brass, and aluminum, were weighed by the spring scale (F1). Next,
after immersing the ball into water, the spring scale is used again to determine objects weight
(F2). The difference between F1 and F2 is the experimental buoyant force of the object. Then, the
experimental and theoretical results of buoyant force need comparing so that Archimedes
principle can be proved and any errors would be explained.

ARCHIMEDES PRINCIPLE

2
Data Collected and Analysis
of Three Experiments

F1: Weight of ball in

Steel Ball
2.42N

Brass Ball
2.63N

Aluminum Ball
0.83N

air
F2: Weight of ball in

2.20N

2.42N

0.61N

water
FBE: Experimental

0.22N

0.21N

0.22N

3cm
27cm3
0.27N

3cm
27cm3
0.27N

3cm
27cm3
0.27N

20.4%

25%

20.4%

buoyant force of the

ball
D : Diameter of ball
V: volume of ball
FBT: Theoretical
buoyant force of
ball
Percent difference
between FBE and FBT
Calculations:

FBE = F1 F2
FBT = ph2o*V*g
Result
For all three cases, the experimentally determined value of the buoyant force is not equal the
theoretically determined value of the buoyant force.

Steel Ball: the difference is 0.05N (20.4%)

Brass Ball: the difference is 0.06N(25%)
Aluminum Ball: the difference is 0.05N (20.4%)

ARCHIMEDES PRINCIPLE
The possible reasons why there are certain percentages of errors between experimental and
theoretical result can be caused by the following factors:
-Human errors:

Hands shaking while holding the spring scale

Improper angle of eyes when reading data

-Others:

Water used for experiments may contain impurities that could make the FB

slightly different from mathematical calculation

Balls swing on hook after they are in place
Water residues on balls after several times practicing experiment

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Discussion
Throughout three above experiments using metal balls, water, and spring scale, the definition of
Archimedes principle and how buoyant force acts on submerged object are studied thoroughly.
We can tell that when metal ball is submerged into water, there is supporting force acting on
object because its weight is lighter in the water. It happened the same way with all three different
metal balls that prove the appearance of buoyant force and principle of Archimedes. Even though
there are percentage difference between experimental and theoretical result, they are can be
explained logically. Human errors and other factors related to experimental tools during
procedure of experiments as mentioned can cause errors.
Conclusion
The purpose of this lab is to study about Archimedes principle and prove that buoyant force
acting on metal samples in the water is equal to the liquid displaced. Although balls from three
experiments have different properties, the results are all following the same direction that
supports for the initial statement and principle about buoyant force. By doing practical
experiments, I find it easier to approach the concepts of buoyant force and its action onto object
when it is in liquids.

ARCHIMEDES PRINCIPLE