When an object is placed in water, there are two primary forces acting on it. Buoyancy is the force exerted on an object that is wholly or partly immersed in a fluid. The force of gravity is a downward force and buoyancy is an upward force. The gravitational force is determined by the object's weight, and the buoyancy force is determined by the weight of the water that is displaced by the object. If an object weighs less than the amount of water it displaces, it floats; if it weighs more, it sinks.
- Subject:
- Physical Science
- Material Type:
- Activity/Lab
- Author:
- based on a commonly shared lesson idea.
- STEM Bites are a project of the Oregon STEM Hub network. Lesson submitted from GO-STEM
- Date Added:
- 04/01/2021