Real Life Applications of Archimedes’ Principle

In real life, Archimedes Principle is applicable in floating of ship and submarine. It helps us to swim in water bodies. In this article, we are going to learn about Real-life applications of Archimedes’ principles.

Archimedes’ Principle in Real Life

Archimedes Principle states that when an object is submerged in a fluid, it experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. We see a very large ship floating in water and a small needle easily sinks despite much less weight than the ship. This is due to Archimedes’ Principle. The applications of Archimedes’ Principle is discussed below:

Submarines

Submarines use Archimedes’ principle to control their depth. By adjusting their ballast tanks to change the amount of water they displace, submarines can either rise to the surface or dive to greater depths. When submarine have to go to depth of the water, the ballast tank filled with water and the density of the submarine increases and sinks inside the surface of the ocean. Similarly, when it has to float on the surface of the water it pumps out the water from the ballast tank.

Floating of Ship

The ships are hollow from inside and it is designed in such a way that it uses Archimedes principle to displace the amount of water equal to the buoyant force a the button of the boat.

Hot Air Balloons

In the case of a hot air balloon, the “fluid” is the surrounding air. When the air inside the balloon is heated, it becomes less dense than the surrounding cooler air. This heated air is effectively displacing a volume of cooler air with a greater weight, resulting in a net upward buoyant force acting on the balloon.

The buoyant force generated by the heated air is what provides the lift necessary for the balloon to ascend. As long as the buoyant force is greater than the weight of the balloon (including the envelope, basket, passengers, fuel, and other equipment), the balloon will rise.

Diving

Divers use buoyant force which help them float in water. When a diver enters the water, their body displaces an amount of water equal to their volume. According to Archimedes’ principle, the upward buoyant force acting on the diver is equal to the weight of the water displaced by their body. If the buoyant force is greater than the diver’s weight, they will float.

Divers often aim to achieve neutral buoyancy, where the buoyant force acting on them is equal to their weight. This allows them to maintain a steady depth without floating to the surface or sinking to the bottom.

Swimming and Floating

A person swims on the surface water depends upon the amount of water displace by the body, which exerts the buoyant force below the body and help to swim. If the buoyant force is greater than the swimmer’s weight, they will float.

Density Measurement

Archimedes’ principle is used to determine the density of irregularly shaped objects. By measuring the weight of an object in air and then in a fluid (usually water), the volume of the object can be calculated, which, in turn, allows for the determination of its density.

Hydrometers

Hydrometer is the instrument used to measure the specific density of the liquid. It uses Archimedes principle to measure the density of the liquid relative to water with displacement of fluid by hydrometer.

In the case of a hydrometer, the instrument consists of a weighted glass or metal bulb at the bottom and a calibrated stem above it. When the hydrometer is placed in a liquid, it sinks to a certain depth, displacing a volume of liquid equal to its own volume. The buoyant force acting on the hydrometer is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced by the submerged portion of the hydrometer.

Life Jackets

Life jackets and buoyancy aids are designed to help people float in water. They work by increasing the buoyant force acting on the person, thus preventing them from sinking.

Read more about

• Difference between Buoyancy and Buoyant Force
• Difference between Buoyancy and Upthrust

Real Life Applications of Archimedes’ Principle FAQs

What is Archimedes’ Principle?

It states that when a body is partially or completely submerged in a fluid (liquid or gas), it experiences an upward buoyant force that is equal in magnitude to the weight of the fluid displaced by the body.

What is Buoyancy?

Buoyancy is the phenomena due to which an object when immersed in water experiences an upward thrust. The upward force experienced by the object is called Buoyant Force.

What is Buoyant force ?

Buoyant force can be defined as an upward force exerted on an object that is completely or partially submerged in liquid.

State factors on which upthrust depends.

The two factors on which upthrust depends are: The volume of the object submerged, and The density of the liquid in which the object is submerged.

Why Buoyant Force Play an Important Role in Swimming?

When a swimmer is inside the water body, it is important that he/she stays on near the surface for safety, this is possible due to buoyant force which is a little more than the pressure exerted from above.

Given an example of Archimedes’ Principle in our daily life?

One common example is swimming, or ships floating in water.

How are Density and Buoyancy Related?

Buoyant force and buoyancy are directly proportional to the density of the liquid, more the density of the liquid, more will be the buoyant force.