The centre of gravity of the volume of liquid displaced is calleda)cen...
The Centre of Buoyancy
The centre of buoyancy is the point at which the buoyant force acting on an object is considered to be concentrated. It is the centre of gravity of the volume of liquid displaced by the object. This concept is important in the field of fluid mechanics, particularly in the study of buoyancy and stability of floating and submerged objects.
Explanation
When an object is submerged in a fluid (liquid or gas), it experiences an upward force called the buoyant force. This force is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. According to Archimedes' principle, the buoyant force acts through the centre of gravity of the displaced fluid.
The centre of gravity of an object is the point where its weight can be considered to act. Similarly, the centre of buoyancy is the point where the buoyant force can be considered to act. In simple terms, it is the average position of all the buoyant forces acting on different parts of the submerged object.
Significance
The centre of buoyancy plays a crucial role in determining the stability of floating and submerged objects. If the centre of gravity of an object is below the centre of buoyancy, the object will be stable and tend to return to its original position when displaced. On the other hand, if the centre of gravity is above the centre of buoyancy, the object will be unstable and tend to capsize or topple over.
For example, in a ship, the centre of gravity is usually located above the centre of buoyancy. This ensures the stability of the ship and prevents it from capsizing. The design of ships takes into account the position of the centre of buoyancy relative to the centre of gravity to ensure safe and stable operation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the centre of buoyancy is the point at which the buoyant force is considered to act on a submerged object. It is the centre of gravity of the volume of fluid displaced by the object. Understanding the concept of the centre of buoyancy is essential for analyzing the stability and behavior of floating and submerged objects.
The centre of gravity of the volume of liquid displaced is calleda)cen...
For a floating body with its part submerged in the liquid, the centre of buoyancy is at the centre of gravity of the submerged part of the body and it lies vertically below the centre of gravity of the entire body.