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Virtual AP-LAB11: Buoyancy
Purpose
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Learn about Buoyancy through practical applications
Relate buoyancy to density to volume
METHODS
This is an online activity that does not require a full write up.
Go to the Portfolio and Resource site and find the 2 Virtual Labs under the Lab Handout section for Lab11.
Simulation 1: Sinking or Floating (make sure to reset when changing materials)
The simulation contains a 10 cm tall block that is dropped into a liquid with a FBD of the block shown.
You are able to vary the block material and the liquid material. You do not know the total volume, but
you can assume the block’s cross-sectional area is constant.
1. There are various blocks and liquid materials. Before experimenting, write down what you think
will happen when each of the blocks is dropped into the water. Will they sink, float, if they float
how deep they will go, etc.
2. Select each and test your hypotheses. Were you correct? Record reasoning for your results.
3. What happens to the weight and buoyant force as the block sinks?
4. Select the wood block and write down what you think will happen if you change the fluid and hold
the block constant. Will it sink more, less, the same?
5. Test out your guesses and explain what is happening.
6. From what you have experienced, rank the densities of different materials including all the fluids
and block materials. Explain your process.
7. Set the block to wood, and the liquid to water. You can use 1000 kg/m 3 for the density of water.
Use the simulation (note depth is given at bottom) to determine the density of the wood block.
8. Once you get the density of the block, use it to find the density of the alcohol.
Simulation 2: Lowering a Block into a Fluid (make sure to reset when changing materials)
Again you are able to vary the block and the liquid. You can then set the depth my moving the slider
on the right and the value of the tension in the string is shown at the top. The block is 10 cm tall and
you do not know the total volume, but you can assume the cross-sectional area is constant.
1. Set the block to aluminum and the liquid to water. What do you think will happen as you lower the
block into the water. Discuss what you think will happen to the Tension in the string, the Buoyant
force and the weight of the block as it is lowered and then test out your predictions. Is there a
limit to the changes, if so when do they stop? Why might this be.
2. How would your answer to (1) change if the block were titanium (higher density) instead of
aluminum? How would it change if the liquid were corn syrup (higher density)?
3. Experiment with the different block materials and liquids and try to rank them based on their
densities. Explain your process.
4. Switch the simulation back to water and aluminum. Using a water density of 1000 kg/m 3
determine the density of the aluminum. You may have to use multiple steps.
APLab 11: Virtual Buoyancy
Mr. Maloney Physics
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