Experiment 3: Buoyant Force and Archimedes Principle

Experiment 3: Buoyant Force and Archimedes Principle

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 2:Dimensions of 250 g Hanging Mass

Base Edge (cm)	Height (cm)

Table 3: 250 g Hanging Mass Buoyancy Data

Object	Weight in Air (N)	Weight in Water (N)	Buoyancy Force (N)	Volume Displaced (mL)
250 g Hanging Mass
Rubber Stopper

Post-Lab Questions

1. What happens to the apparent weight when the objects are submerged in water?

2. Use the value of the buoyant force to calculate an experimental value of the volume of all of the objects in kg/m³ (F_b =ρ_LV_D g). Show your work.

3. Use the measured dimensions of the 250 g mass to calculate the volume of the mass, Show your work.

4. Determine the percent difference between the measured volume of the 250 g mass and the value calculated from the buoyant force measurement. Show your work.

5. Using the fact that 1 mL = 1 x 10^-6 m³, compare the volume of the displaced water to the calculated volume of the mass from Post-Lab Question 3 with a percent difference calculation. Show your work.

6. Are the three experimental values of the volume of the 250 g mass (from Archimedes’ Principle) larger or smaller than the calculated value using the caliper measurements? Why? Which of the three values for volume is more accurate? Which of the two experimental volumes are more accurate? Explain.

7. Use the experimental weight and volume of the rubber stopper to calculate the density of the stopper in kg/m3 using the equationρ = m/v. Show your work.

8. Research the density of rubber stopper on the internet and compare your measured value of the density with the values listed online.

9. Does the data support Archimedes’ Principle? Why or why not?

10. Identify two possible sources of error in the experiment? How could the procedure be revised to remove these potential errors?