Difference between volume displaced fluid and volume of the object

In summary, according to Archimedes' Principle, the volume displaced and the object's volume are different and can vary depending on whether the object is fully submerged or floating. The buoyant force equation Fb = mg can be used to find the volume of the object and the fluid it displaces. If the object is fully submerged, the volumes will be the same, but if it is floating, only the volume of the submerged portion will be displaced.
  • #1
paulh428
1
0
What is the difference between the volume displaced and the object of the volume, according to Archimedes' Principle? Because I'm trying to find logs floating on water and my book gives an equation for buoyant force. Here it is Fb = mg => rho-fluid * V-displaced * g = rho-object * V-object * g. Hope that equation helps. Essentially, my question leads to: shouldn't the V-displaced and V-object be the same thing?

Hope this makes sense. Please ask if you want me to try and make some more sense. :D
 
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  • #2
Only if the object is fully submerged.

If the object floats, it will only displace water equal to the volume of the submerged portion.
 
  • #3
If the log has volume v and it floats so that exactly half of it is submerged and half is above the water it would displace v/2 volume of water. And that would mean, of course, that the density of the log is 1/2 the density of water.
 

1. What is the difference between volume displaced fluid and volume of the object?

The volume displaced fluid refers to the volume of fluid that is pushed aside or moved by an object when it is submerged in the fluid. On the other hand, the volume of the object refers to the total amount of space that the object takes up, regardless of its location or surrounding medium.

2. How are volume displaced fluid and volume of the object related?

Volume displaced fluid and volume of the object are related through Archimedes' principle, which states that the buoyant force on an object immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid that the object displaces. This means that the volume of fluid displaced is equal to the volume of the object.

3. Can the volume of the object be greater than the volume of fluid displaced?

No, the volume of the object can never be greater than the volume of fluid displaced. This is because of Archimedes' principle, which states that the buoyant force on an object is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Therefore, for the object to float, the volume of fluid displaced must be equal to or greater than the volume of the object.

4. Does the density of the object affect the volume of fluid displaced?

Yes, the density of the object does affect the volume of fluid displaced. Objects with higher density will displace more fluid than objects with lower density, as they have more mass for a given volume. This is why objects with higher density tend to sink in fluids, while objects with lower density tend to float.

5. How is the volume of fluid displaced measured?

The volume of fluid displaced can be measured using a variety of methods, including using a graduated cylinder or a displacement method. In the displacement method, the object is submerged in a known volume of fluid, and the increase in volume is measured, which is equal to the volume of fluid displaced. This method is commonly used to measure the volume of irregularly shaped objects.

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