Isostasy and Archimedes Principle

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about isostasy and Archimedes principle, designed to aid students in understanding key concepts.

Isostasy

A state of equilibrium in which equal pressures act on all sides of an object.

Archimedes Principle

The mass of a floating object is equal to the mass of the water it displaces.

Buoyancy

An upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an object immersed in it.

Density

The mass per unit volume of a substance, often expressed in g/cm³.

Equilibrium

A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.

Mass of Displaced Water

The mass of water that is moved out of the way by a floating object, equal to the mass of the object.

Isostatic Equilibrium Position

The depth at which an object floats in a fluid, determined by the densities of the object and the fluid.

Volume

The amount of space an object occupies, often measured in liters or cm³.

Archimedes

An ancient Greek mathematician and physicist known for formulating the principle of buoyancy.

Displacement

The volume of fluid that is moved aside when an object is submerged.

Experiments

Practical activities to test theories or principles, such as measuring mass and volume.

Column of Water

A theoretical vertical section of water used to compare densities and masses.

Granite

A light-colored igneous rock that forms the continental crust.

Basalt

A dark-colored, fine-grained igneous rock that forms the oceanic crust.

Peridotite

A dense, coarse-grained igneous rock that composes the Earth's mantle.

Pressure

The force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area.

Eureka Moment

A moment of sudden insight or discovery, often associated with scientific breakthroughs.

Root (R)

The depth below the fluid surface where a floating object is submerged.

Height (H)

The total vertical length of an object or column being measured.

Comparison of Densities

The process of evaluating which of two substances is denser based on mass and volume.

Isostatic Stability

The condition where an object remains afloat and balanced due to constant pressures from the surrounding fluid.