Buoyancy & Density Lab

Why do some things float and others sink? Explore the forces at play in a fluid.

Archimedes' Principle

This principle states that the upward buoyant force that is exerted on a body immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid that the body displaces. This force pushes upwards, opposing the force of gravity which pulls the object down.

Floating vs. Sinking

An object sinks if its density is greater than the fluid's density (its weight is greater than the buoyant force).
An object floats if its density is less than the fluid's density (its weight is less than the buoyant force).
An object is neutrally buoyant if its density is equal to the fluid's density.

Controls

Liquid Density: 1000 kg/m³

Materials Palette

What's Happening?

Select a material from the palette to drop it into the liquid.

Object Status

No object in the tank.