What happens to the buoyant force acting on an object when it is parti...
The buoyant force experienced by an object in a fluid depends on the weight of the displaced fluid, which is determined by the volume of the object submerged. If the object is partially submerged, the volume of the displaced fluid and thus the buoyant force remain the same.
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What happens to the buoyant force acting on an object when it is parti...
Understanding Buoyant Force
The buoyant force is the upward force exerted by a fluid on a submerged or partially submerged object. This force is crucial in determining whether an object sinks, floats, or remains suspended in the fluid.
Principle of Buoyancy
According to Archimedes' principle, the buoyant force acting on an object is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. This principle is applicable regardless of how much of the object is submerged.
Effect of Partial Submersion
- When an object is partially submerged, it displaces a volume of fluid equal to the submerged portion of the object.
- The buoyant force remains constant as long as the submerged volume and the density of the fluid do not change.
Key Points
- Buoyant Force is Constant: The buoyant force acting on a partially submerged object does not change with the amount of submersion as long as the displaced fluid volume remains the same.
- Weight of Displaced Fluid: The force is solely dependent on the weight of the fluid that the object displaces, not on the total volume of the object.
- Equilibrium: An object floats when the buoyant force equals the weight of the object. If the object is partially submerged, this balance indicates that the buoyant force remains equal to the weight of the displaced fluid.
Conclusion
Thus, when an object is partially submerged in a fluid, the buoyant force acting on it remains the same, confirming that the correct answer to the question is option 'C'.