Q1 Week 5-6: Fluid Principles

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental principles of fluids, including Archimedes' and Pascal's principles, buoyancy, density, and physical properties affecting flotation.

Pressure

How much force you put on something and how spread out that force is.

Archimedes' Principle

A fundamental law of physics stating that an object immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.

Buoyant Force

The upward force on any object in any fluid that acts opposite to the force of gravity.

Archimedes' Principle (Formula)

$$\text{Buoyant Force} = \text{Weight of displaced Fluid}$$

Condition for Floating

The state where the buoyant force is greater than or equal to the weight of the object.

Condition for Sinking

The state where the buoyant force is less than the weight of the object.

Density (Floating)

Objects with lower density than water, such as wood or plastic bottles, will float.

Density (Sinking)

Objects with higher density than water, such as rock or metal, will sink.

Physical Property: Object’s shape

A property that affects how water is displaced; for example, crumpling a flat sheet increases air space and makes it more buoyant.

Physical Property: Object’s Mass

A property where heavier objects tend to sink unless they displace enough water, as seen in large hollow ships.

Physical Property: Object’s Volume

A property where a larger volume can increase water displacement, resulting in more buoyant force.

Pascal’s Principle

A principle that focuses on pressure transmission in fluids to explain how force can be multiplied.

Pascal’s Principle (Direction)

Unlike Archimedes' principle which acts vertically, this principle acts in all directions.

Hydrometer

An instrument used in beverage industries that represents a business application of Archimedes’ principle.