- #61
Is there a buoyancy force or not?
- Context: High School
- Thread starter agtee
- Start date
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- Tags
- Buoyancy Buoyancy force Force
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the concept of buoyancy force as it applies to a cylinder attached to the bottom of a water tank, with part of it above the water surface. Participants explore whether buoyancy can act on the cylinder given its attachment and the resulting pressure conditions.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants assert that the buoyancy force, or upthrust, acting on the cylinder is determined by the weight of the fluid displaced, as stated by Archimedes' Principle.
- Others argue that because the cylinder is attached to the bottom of the tank, there is no pressure acting on the bottom, leading to no upward force being generated.
- A participant suggests that if the cylinder is perfectly attached, then no upward force can be measured, as the liquid cannot get underneath it.
- Another viewpoint proposes that if the cylinder is not perfectly attached, a microscopic "wedge" of liquid could push it upward, indicating a potential upward force.
- Some participants question the limitations of the buoyancy force theory, particularly in scenarios where the cylinder is sealed to the bottom of the container.
- A later reply introduces a different scenario involving a cylinder fitting into a hole, suggesting that buoyancy could be measured in that case, depending on pressure conditions.
- One participant emphasizes that the upward force could be related to the elastic deformation of the bottom material when the cylinder is placed, which may exert an upward force once released.
- Another participant mentions real-world applications, such as dams, where buoyancy forces must be considered in engineering designs.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express conflicting views on whether buoyancy can act on the cylinder when it is attached to the bottom of the tank. There is no consensus, as some maintain that buoyancy is present while others argue it is absent under the given conditions.
Contextual Notes
Discussions include various assumptions about pressure conditions and the attachment of the cylinder, which may affect the interpretation of buoyancy forces. The complexity of real-world applications and experimental validations are also noted.
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