5.4.6

Upthrust

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Floating and Upthrust

A partially submerged object (an object that’s not fully in a liquid) will experience greater pressure on the bottom surface than on the top surface. This creates a resultant force upwards. We call this force upthrust.

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Upthrust = weight of liquid displaced

  • The upthrust that acts on an object is equal to the weight of the liquid that has been forced away (displaced) by that object.
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Floating

  • If the object’s weight is equal to the upthrust, then the forces balance and the object will float in the liquid.
Illustrative background for SinkingIllustrative background for Sinking ?? "content

Sinking

  • If the object’s weight is greater than the upthrust, then the object will sink.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.2Forces

5.3Effects of Forces

5.4Pressure

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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