Science Test Study Guide – Chapter 8: Buoyancy

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to buoyancy, including definitions of key terms and rules for determining whether an object will sink or float.

Mass

The amount of matter in an object, measured in kilograms (kg) or grams (g).

Weight

The force of gravity acting on an object, measured in Newtons (N).

Volume

The amount of space an object occupies, measured in milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cm³).

Plimsoll Line

A marking on a ship's hull showing the safe loading limit of the vessel.

Hindenburg

The German airship incident that caught fire and burned within seconds due to the vehicle being filled with hydrogen— a cheap alternative to helium

Gravity

A force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth.

Positively Buoyant

An object that floats in a fluid.

Neutrally Buoyant

An object that remains suspended in a fluid.

Negatively Buoyant

An object that sinks in a fluid.

Sink or Float Rule

To determine if an object will sink or float, compare its weight to the weight of water it displaces.

If an object weighs more than the water it displaces, it will ___.

Sink.

If an object weighs less than the water it displaces, it will ___.

Float.