Buoyancy

In physics, buoyancy (lit: float force) (pronounced /ˈbɔɪ.ənsi/) is a force on an object making that object rise or move upward. It comes from the Spanish word for "float", boyar. Buoyancy is made by the difference in pressure put on the object by the Fluid or air that the object is in.

A diagram showing how buoyancy works.

The net upward buoyancy force is equal to the magnitude of the weight of fluid that is displaced by the body. This force enables the object to float or at least to seem lighter. Buoyancy is important for many vehicles such as boats, ships, balloons, and blimps.

Density

If the object has exactly the same density as the liquid, then its buoyancy is the same as its weight. It will not sink or float.

If the object has a higher average density than the liquid, then its buoyancy is less than its weight. It will sink. That is why pebbles do not float.

If the object has a lower average density than the liquid, then its buoyancy is greater than its weight. That is why, although a ship may be made of steel which is more dense than water, it floats because it encloses a volume of air and the resulting shape has an average density less than that of the water.

Related pages

• Submarine
• Thrust

Other websites

• Falling in Water (Animation 1) Archived 2007-07-13 at the Wayback Machine
• Falling in Water (Animation 2) Archived 2007-07-13 at the Wayback Machine
• Falling in Water Archived 2015-02-26 at the Wayback Machine