Why is the buoyant force equation different in accelerating vessels?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the buoyant force experienced by an object in a liquid within an accelerating vessel. Participants explore the implications of acceleration on buoyancy, particularly how the buoyant force equation changes when considering different frames of reference, such as an accelerating vessel versus an inertial frame.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why the buoyant force is expressed as F(buoyant force) = Vp(g+a) when a pseudo force is already considered in their analysis.
  • Another participant notes that buoyant force arises from the pressure of the liquid acting on the object, which increases when the vessel accelerates.
  • A participant suggests examining the pressure variation with depth in the liquid when the vessel accelerates upward to clarify the relationship between pressure and depth.
  • Another participant reiterates the importance of understanding buoyancy as a real force resulting from pressure differences on the object, stating that it exists regardless of the frame of reference used.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the application of buoyant force equations in accelerating frames, indicating that multiple competing interpretations exist regarding the effects of acceleration on buoyancy.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the assumptions underlying the buoyant force equations, particularly in relation to the definitions of effective gravity and the treatment of pseudo forces in non-inertial frames.

AdityaDev
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If I have an object of mass m tied to the lower surface of a vessel having a liquid and the vessel accelerates upwards...
From FBD of object, Buoyant force acts upwards, mg down, pseudo force downwards (frame of reference is vessel) T down.
Here's the doubt. Why is F(buoyant force) = Vp(g+a) when I have already considered pseudo force?
Given in textbook: ##Vp(g+a)-mg-T=ma##
But when I take the vessel as the frame of reference,
Shouldn't this be the equation: ##Vpg-mg-T-ma=0##
They say ##F=Vpg1##
g1=effective gravity
 
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AdityaDev said:
Here's the doubt. Why is F(buoyant force) = Vp(g+a) when I have already considered pseudo force?
Buoyant force is due to the pressure of the liquid acting on the object. When the vessel is accelerating, the fluid pressure actually increases.
 
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To see this more clearly, consider just the vessel and liquid alone. (Leave out the object for now.) With no acceleration, how does the pressure vary with depth? Now give the vessel an upward acceleration and figure out the new relationship between pressure and depth.
 
Doc Al said:
To see this more clearly, consider just the vessel and liquid alone. (Leave out the object for now.) With no acceleration, how does the pressure vary with depth? Now give the vessel an upward acceleration and figure out the new relationship between pressure and depth.
Il try
 
To add to Doc Al's point, buoyancy is a real force. It is the name we use for the net force arising from the higher fluid pressure on the bottom surfaces of an object and the relatively lower fluid pressure on its top surfaces. Since it is a real force, it exists regardless of whether you adopt an inertial or an accelerating frame of reference.
 
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