A solid block displaces 0.5 m³ of water when fully submerged. What is the buoyant force? (Density of water = 1,000 kg/m³, g = 10 m/s²)
A500 N
B5,000 N
C50 N
D50,000 N
Buoyant force = weight of displaced water = ρVg = 1,000 × 0.5 × 10 = 5,000 N.
Question 2 True / False
A ball of clay sinks in water, but the same clay shaped into a bowl can float.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: True
The bowl shape displaces more water than the solid ball because it is hollow, creating a larger buoyant force. If the buoyant force equals or exceeds the clay's weight, the bowl floats.
Question 3 Short Answer
How can a massive steel ship float when a small steel bolt sinks?
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: The ship's hollow hull displaces an enormous volume of water, creating a buoyant force equal to the ship's weight. The steel bolt displaces only a tiny volume of water — not enough buoyant force to support its weight because solid steel is denser than water.
Archimedes' Principle says buoyancy depends on displaced fluid volume. The ship's shape gives it a very large displacement volume and a low average density, allowing it to float.