Explain why objects appear lighter in water than in air?

In short (click here for detailed version)

Objects appear lighter in water than in air due to Archimedes' buoyant force. This buoyancy force acts opposite to the object's weight, thereby reducing the effect of gravity and giving the impression that the object is lighter.

Explain why objects appear lighter in water than in air?
In detail, for those interested!

Apparent weight of objects

When an object is immersed in water, it seems lighter than when it is in the air. This is due to the phenomenon of apparent weight. The apparent weight of an object is the force exerted by a fluid (in this case, water) that opposes the weight of the object. Water exerts an upward force on the object, which reduces its apparent weight. Therefore, an object will appear lighter in water than in air because of this buoyant force exerted by the water.

Archimède and buoyancy

When an object is submerged in a fluid, it experiences a buoyant force that opposes its weight. This force was discovered by the famous Greek scientist Archimedes. According to Archimedes' principle, an object submerged in a fluid is subject to a buoyant force equal to the weight of the displaced fluid. This means that buoyancy depends on the density of the object and the fluid in which it is submerged. An object will float if it is less dense than the surrounding fluid, and will sink if it is denser. This is why light bodies float easily on the surface of water, while heavier objects sink to the bottom. Archimedes formulated this principle while taking a bath and observing the displacement of water around his submerged body. This concept is fundamental in hydrostatics and navigation, and has helped understand the behavior of ships at sea, floating glaciers, and many other phenomena related to the buoyancy of objects.

Water density compared to air

Water has a higher density than air, which means that a certain amount of water occupies less volume than the same amount of air. In other words, a liter of water weighs more than a liter of air. This difference in density between water and air has an impact on the perceived weight of submerged objects. When an object is immersed in water, it seems lighter than when it is in the air because of this difference in density. This is explained by Archimedes' principle, which states that any object submerged in a fluid experiences an upward vertical buoyant force equal to the weight of the displaced fluid. This buoyant force of Archimedes helps to reduce the effect of gravity on the object, giving the sensation of lightness.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1

Why does an object float in water?

An object floats in water because the force of Archimedes, which pushes upwards, is greater than the weight of the object.

2

What is the density of an object and why is it important for its buoyancy?

The density of an object represents its mass per unit volume. An object will float if it is less dense than the fluid in which it is located.

3

How to explain the phenomenon of buoyancy using principles of physics?

Buoyancy is explained by Archimedes' principle, which states that any object submerged in a fluid experiences a vertical force directed from bottom to top equal to the weight of the displaced fluid.

4

Why does a beach ball rise to the surface of the water when released at the bottom of a pool?

The beach ball rises because the air inside the ball is less dense than the surrounding water, creating a buoyant force that pushes it upwards.

5

What is the difference between the mass of an object and its weight?

The mass of an object represents the quantity of matter it contains, while weight is the force exerted by gravity on this object. Weight is influenced by the mass of the object and the intensity of gravity.

Natural Sciences

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