Does buoyancy affect the extension of a real spring?

In summary, Hooke's law states that the force exerted by a spring is proportional to the distance it is stretched, represented by F=-kx. In reality, a spring has mass and is submerged in air, which may affect its extension slightly due to buoyancy. However, the buoyancy effect from air is so small that it does not significantly impact the spring's behavior.
  • #1
helly_tang
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In Hooke's law, F=-kx. Assume that a mass is hung from the end of an ideal massless spring, the spring stretches a distance of x.
However, in real life the spring has mass and it is submerged in a "fluid" of air. Compared to an ideal spring, would the real spring have a slightly different extension due to buoyancy?
 
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  • #2
helly_tang said:
In Hooke's law, F=-kx. Assume that a mass is hung from the end of an ideal massless spring, the spring stretches a distance of x.
However, in real life the spring has mass and it is submerged in a "fluid" of air. Compared to an ideal spring, would the real spring have a slightly different extension due to buoyancy?
Ideally, it should have an effect. But the buoyancy due to air is so negligible, that it doesn't make a big difference.
 
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Related to Does buoyancy affect the extension of a real spring?

1. How does buoyancy affect the extension of a real spring?

Buoyancy does not directly affect the extension of a real spring. The extension of a spring is determined by its stiffness, or spring constant, and the force applied to it. However, if the spring is submerged in a fluid, the buoyant force may counteract some of the applied force and slightly decrease the extension of the spring.

2. Does the density of the fluid affect the extension of a real spring?

The density of the fluid does not directly affect the extension of a real spring. The extension of a spring is determined by the force applied to it and its spring constant. However, if the fluid has a higher density, it may provide more resistance against the spring and slightly decrease its extension.

3. Can the weight of the spring affect its extension in a fluid?

The weight of the spring itself does not directly affect its extension in a fluid. However, if the spring is submerged in a fluid, its weight will contribute to the overall force acting on the spring and may slightly increase its extension.

4. Does the shape or size of the spring affect its buoyancy?

The shape or size of the spring does not directly affect its buoyancy. Buoyancy is determined by the volume of the object and the density of the fluid it is submerged in. However, the shape or size of the spring may affect the way it displaces the fluid, which can impact its buoyant force.

5. How does the depth of the fluid impact the extension of a real spring?

The depth of the fluid has minimal impact on the extension of a real spring. As long as the spring is fully submerged, the depth does not affect the buoyant force acting on it. However, if the spring is only partially submerged, the depth of the fluid may affect the amount of buoyant force acting on it and therefore impact its extension.

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