Sources of Error in Conservation of Energy Lab

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In the Conservation of Energy lab, several sources of error were identified, primarily related to measurement inaccuracies. The use of a ruler introduces a rounding error, typically around ±0.5 mm, which can compound if applied to both ends of the ruler. Additional factors affecting accuracy include the quality of the measuring devices and external influences like air flow. The positioning of the center of mass on the weight can also contribute to measurement discrepancies. Overall, these errors highlight the challenges in achieving precise measurements in experimental physics.
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No measurement is perfectly accurate. For example, when measuring with a ruler, the measurement is rounded off to the nearest division on the ruler scale, often 1 mm. So you have a measurement inaccuracy of plus or minus 0.5 mm. When using the ruler, this inaccuracy may well apply to both ends of the ruler, doubling the error. There may well be other errors besides this rounding error such as how well the measuring device was made, how well it has been used by the person and strange things like air flow in the room, etc. Several things could slightly throw off the location of the center of mass on that weight.
 

Thread 'Magnitude of buoyant force in fluids of different densities'

The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?
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