University of Hartford PHY113 Spring 2021

Student Number:
Lab instructor’s name:
Due Date: 02/23/2021

PHY113:
Archimedes’ Principle

Data Collection:
I recorded the following data during the experiment:

Figure 1 - Raw Data

Table 1 - Data of the experiment

Object Weight Apparent Mass Volume Density Specific

Analysis:
This lab is a clear demonstration of the Archimedes’ principle. I followed the steps as given and
obtained the results.
In the lab, I used a sinker for the wooden block as the block would not totally immerse on its
own. I can be sure that I am only measuring the weight of the block is because I am subtracting
the weight of the sinker from the obtained combined weight of the wooden block and the
sinker.
After looking at the results, I saw that to accurately describe the nature of a particular kind of
material, density is a better measure as opposed to the weight of an object. This is due to the
fact that from my observations, I saw that weight of an object can vary due to multiple factors.
In my case, it was due to the presence of the “buoyant” force exerted from the water. The
reason that the objects seem to weigh less when immersed in water is due to the presence of
the buoyant force which exerts an upward force on the objects reducing their weights. If the
objects were immersed in a liquid other than water, the magnitude of the buoyant force would
change according to the formula:
B = fluidVdisplaced g
Hence, the resulting apparent weight would be different.
The unsuitability of weight being an ineffective measure can be seen by a simple example. One
pound of iron will have a smaller volume as opposed to one pound of aluminum due to the
difference of densities. Hence, by looking at the formula of the buoyant force, I can see that
aluminum will experience a higher magnitude of the upward force and will thus, weigh less. On
the other hand, If I take same volume of aluminum and of lead and place them in water and
weigh both before and after submersion, I will find that both the specimen will experience the
same reduction of weight, this is due to the fact that they have the same volume and hence,
the buoyant force will be same for them both
University of Hartford PHY113 Spring 2021

The weight of an object will ultimately depend upon the water displaced when an object is
immersed in the liquid. For example, if I place a finger in a water filled beaker placed on a
balance, it will show an increase in the weight of the beaker. This is due to the fact that if I put
my finger in the water, I will displace water equal to the volume of the finger immersed. The
displaced water will have additional weight which would increase the reading on the balance.
The weight of an object can change with respect to its surroundings. If the object is immersed
in air and is in a stable position, its weight will be equal to the true weight of the object. If the
object is moving, it may show a variation in the weight. This can be best illustrated by imagining
an object in an elevator. When the elevator is rising, the object will weigh more than the
original weight due to the extra force on the object arising due to relative velocity. The opposite
would happen when the elevator is falling and the object would feel lighter than its true weight.
I looked at the factors affecting the density of an object. The density of a material does depend
upon the temperature. When the temperature of an object increases, it expands. The
expansion results in an increased volume of the object. As the volume will increase, the overall
density would decrease. On the other side, if I decrease the temperature of an object, it would
condense and reduce its volume which would result in increased density.

Conclusion:
I looked at Archimedes’ principle working in real experiments. I saw how the weight of objects
change when I immerse them partially or completely in water or any other fluid. I also took a
look at the specific gravities of the objects and looked at different factors affecting the
magnitude of the buoyant force such as the density and the temperature.