Hi, i'm not sure how to prove this about buoyance

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving concepts related to buoyancy, specifically the relationship between upward and downward forces acting on an object submerged in a fluid. Participants are exploring the definitions and calculations associated with buoyant force.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how to prove that a calculated force represents the buoyant force. Some participants question the definitions and relationships between pressure differences and buoyant force.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the definitions and formulas related to buoyancy. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between pressure differences and buoyant force, but multiple interpretations and approaches are still being explored.

Contextual Notes

There are references to specific formulas and definitions from textbooks, and some participants express uncertainty about the calculations and concepts being discussed. The original poster mentions constraints related to their understanding and the context of their homework assignment.

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Hi, I'm not sure how to prove this
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/5367/buoyancyq0wn.jpg

I tried developing a bit but I'm stuck, can anyone point me in the right direction please

thanks
 
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See I've understand that
F=1000*9.8*3*15
F=441000N

But how do I prove that this is the difference between the upward and downward force?
 
Well, this is the difference between the upward and the downward force.
You have to show that this is the same as the buoyant force.

Hmm. What is your definition of buoyant force ?
 
the weight of the liquid displaced
 
That's right, but from your attachment you wrote,

[tex]\Delta P = \rho g \Delta h[/tex]

which looks like you are caculating the force due to the pressure difference.

Have you actually calculated this force ?
 
I'm not exactly sure which force you're talking about. I found this formula in my textbook. I scanned the formulas we have for buoyancy, I got it from the one on the right of this page
http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/641/buoyancy1rq.jpg

We have another formula as well which is not on that page.
Fb = F2 - F1
F2 = upward force applied on the lower surface
F1 = downward force applied to the upper surface

But that's all I've got :s
 
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OK.
I can't see the bit on the right very well.

I'll post a few bits to clear things up.
However I'm half-way through my lunch at the moment and my wife wants my attention, so I may be a few minutes gettting back.

Ciao.
 
The buoyant force, call it BF, is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced.

[tex]BF = \rho gV[/tex]

where V is the volume of fluid displaced.

When a body is completely immersed in a fluid, as shown in your original problem, then the difference in pressure between the top and bottom faces is given as follows,

[tex]P_0 = \mbox{ pressure on upper surface}[/tex]
[tex]P_1 = \mbox{ pressure on lower surface}[/tex]

[tex]P_0 = \rho g h_0[/tex]
[tex]P_1 = \rho g h_1[/tex]

[tex]\Delta P = \rho g \Delta h[/tex]

[tex]\mbox{where } \Delta h \mbox{ is the difference in height between the top and bottom surfaces.}[/tex]

The upward force due to this difference in pressure is,

[tex]F = \Delta P A[/tex]
[tex]F = \rho g \Delta h A[/tex]
[tex]F = \rho gV[/tex]

[tex]\mbox{since } \Delta h A \mbox{ is just the volume of displaced fluid.}[/tex]

So, the force, F, due to the difference in pressures, is equal to the buoyant force, giving

[tex]BF = \rho gV = F = \rho g \Delta h A[/tex]
=====================
 
Last edited:
I managed to see that bit on the right hand side of the page.

That formula,

ΔP = ρgΔh

is for the difference in pressure and gives the upward force as,

F = ΔP*A = ρgΔh*A

Now, this is equal to the buoyant force, but the buoyant force is defined as the weight of the fluid displaced. i.e.

BF = ρgV - by definition
=======
 
  • #10
Thanks Fermat, forgive the weird question, I've got a book full of them. Tip to anyone who reads this: "never choose to take distant courses when you can take them at school"
 

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