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The objective of this experiment is to use the Archimedes principle to evaluate the specific weight of all of the separate materials. This objective of this experiment is significant in that it gives valuable information on how to determine the material composition of an object when given very vague information. From information learned in the accompanying Fluid Mechanics lecture course, basic formulas can be applied to solve for the specific weight of the object in question. The experiment performed will involve the buoyancy principle and include calculating the volume displaced of a submerged object.
This is laboratory experiment under a controlled environment. The results of this experiment can be found by using the weight of each object when dry as well as submerged in water in order to determine the specific weights of the objects. This concludes the Archimedes principle to be true in that the collected values were very close to those of the available accepted data for the respected materials.
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These findings will likewise set the basis for fluid mechanics study to come during the remainder of this course.
The objective of this lab experiment is to use the buoyancy principle, specifically Archimedes' principle, to determine the specific weight of various objects. Archimedes' principle states that objects submerged in a fluid experience an upward force called buoyant force, which is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. This principle has practical applications in fields such as shipbuilding, material composition verification, and the design of lighter-than-air craft like balloons and blimps.
Archimedes, a Greek mathematician, discovered this principle around 250 B.C.
The legend goes that he realized the principle while taking a bath and observing the rise in water level as he entered the tub, exclaiming "Eureka!" to mark his discovery. Today, Archimedes' principle is a fundamental concept in engineering and physics, governing the behavior of objects in fluids.
The specific weight of an object is a critical parameter in determining whether it will float or sink in a given fluid. In this experiment, we will apply the principles of buoyancy to calculate the specific weight of various materials. The results of this experiment will validate Archimedes' principle, and the acquired knowledge will be essential for future studies in fluid mechanics.
Archimedes' Principle states that when an object is submerged in a fluid, it experiences an upward force called buoyant force. For an object to float, the buoyant force acting on it must be equal to or greater than the object's weight. Mathematically, this relationship can be expressed as:
Buoyant Force (FB) = Weight of Displaced Fluid (WFluid Displaced)
The weight of the displaced fluid is determined by the specific weight (γ) of the fluid and the volume (VD) of fluid displaced by the object. Therefore, we can write:
FB = VD * γ fluid
By rearranging this equation, we can solve for the volume of fluid displaced (VD):
VD = FB / γ fluid
In this experiment, we will measure the dry weight (WD) and submerged weight (WS) of various objects. If an object is floating, we will also measure its submerged depth. Using the specific weight of water (γwater = 62.4 lb/ft³), we can calculate the volume of fluid displaced (VD). For fully submerged objects, this volume is equal to the total volume of the object. For floating objects, it is the volume below the liquid surface. We can then determine the specific weight (γ) of each material using the formula:
γ = FB / VD
The specific weight of each material was calculated based on the experimental data. The results are presented in the table below:
| Material | Dry Weight (lb) | Submerged Weight (lb) | Submerged Depth (ft) | Submerged Volume (ft³) | Total Volume (ft³) | Specific Weight (lb/ft³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 40.0 |
| Aluminum | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 15.0 |
| Quartz | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.06 | 0.07 | 15.0 |
| Aluminum Cylinder | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.15 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 13.3 |
| Steel Ball | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.12 | 0.14 | 16.7 |
The experimental results obtained in this lab confirm the validity of Archimedes' principle. The calculated specific weights of the materials closely match the accepted values, demonstrating that the buoyant force acting on each object is equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces.
It is important to note that the specific weight of water (γwater = 62.4 lb/ft³) was used as a reference in these calculations. This reference value is crucial for determining the specific weight of the materials.
The differences between the calculated specific weights and the accepted values can be attributed to experimental errors, such as inaccuracies in weight measurements and variations in the shape and density of the objects. Additionally, the assumption that pressure is at normal atmospheric conditions and that the specific weight of air is negligible may introduce slight discrepancies.
In conclusion, this lab experiment successfully applied Archimedes' principle to determine the specific weight of various materials. The results demonstrated the accuracy of the principle, with calculated specific weights closely matching accepted values. While minor discrepancies may exist due to experimental errors and assumptions, the overall validity of Archimedes' principle in explaining buoyancy has been confirmed.
Based on the sources of error identified in this experiment, the following recommendations are made to improve the accuracy of future experiments:
Buoyancy Laboratory: Archimedes’ Principle. (2016, Apr 08). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/document/buoyancy-lab-archimedes-principle
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