How Did Archimedes Use His Principle to Compare Densities of Gold and Silver?

AI Thread Summary
Archimedes' principle states that an object submerged in fluid displaces a volume of fluid equal to its own volume. In the discussion, it is clarified that Archimedes used this principle to compare the densities of gold and silver by immersing equal masses of both metals in water. Since gold is denser than silver, the gold lump displaces less water than the silver lump, which has a greater volume due to its lower density. The confusion arises from the assumption that the two pieces were the same volume; they were actually of equal mass, leading to different volumes displaced. This principle effectively demonstrates how density differences can be observed through water displacement.
roger5
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Can somebody explain Achimedes principle to me? Where he used it to determine the difference in density between silver and gold. Apparently he immersed a lump of gold and silver in water (I assume they were the same size/volume) and each lump displaced a different volume of water. Is that the correct story? If it is, how can two objects with the same volume displace a different amount of water?
 
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The pieces of gold and silver did not have the same volume, they had the same mass.

The silver is obviously less dense, therefore has a greater volume, therefore displaces more water.
 
That's what I thought. Thanks
 

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