Introduction

Here we will try to determine whether buoyancy is affected by temperature change. We will check if the change in water density, as the temperature of water increases from five degrees celsius to twenty-five degrees Celsius, causes the water boat to sink in water to a measurable degree.

Aim

To determine whether the change in water density causes the boat to sink lower in it at a measurable degree.

Theory

1. The upward force exerted by the liquid on any floating object is termed buoyancy.

2. The formula for buoyancy is Fb = -ρgV

where Fb is buoyant force,

ρ is the fluid density,

V is fluid volume, and

g is the acceleration due to gravity.

3. Upthrust is the same name given to buoyancy.

Requirements

1. Ten identical styrene model boat hulls 33 cm long

2. 128 grams of steel

3. Ice

4. Stove

5. A hot water heater drain pan

Procedure

Step 1: Put 128 grams of steel on each of the ten boats.

Step 2: Take water in a water heater drain pan. Water temperature must be between five degrees celsius to twenty-five degrees celsius.

Step 3: Put all ten boats in this water.

Step 4: Record the distance of the waterline from the stern to the top of each hull.

Step 5: Increase the water temperature by ten degrees celsius using a stove.

Step 6: Again, record the distance.

Step 7: Using ice, lower the water temperature by ten degrees celsius.

Step 8: Measure the distance from the waterline to the top of the hull.

Observation

1. As this experiment is being illustrated between 5 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius, which is almost from freezing to boiling, using only a 33 cm long hull, it was possible to detect the change in the waterline. This change is much greater than a real ship will ever experience.

2. We observed that on increasing temperature, the molecules of water get far apart, resulting in lower upthrust by water. This allows a floating object to displace more water as its buoyancy is reduced.

Result

As the water temperature increased, it became possible to detect a change in the waterline of a small floating boat hull. This happened because the water molecules spread apart, increasing temperature.

Precaution

1. Do not touch the hot water.

2. Record your observation carefully.

Conclusion

This experiment was performed to determine whether buoyancy is affected by temperature change by checking whether the change in water temperature makes the boat sink lower in water.

VIVA Questions With Answers

Q.1 What was the aim of your experiment?

ANS. To determine whether the change in water density causes the boat to sink lower in it at a measurable degree.

Q.2 What do you know about buoyancy?

ANS. The upward force exerted by the liquid on any floating object is termed buoyancy.

Q.3 What was the result of your experiment?

ANS. We found that as the temperature of water increases, the waterline of floating objects changes. It means That the floating object sinks more into the water with the increasing temperature.

Q.4 What is the reason behind this happening?

ANS. Floating objects sink more in liquid on increasing temperature as the water molecules scatter, which gives more space for objects to sink in.

Saquib Siddiqui

Saquib Siddiqui is a Mechanical Engineer and a content creator. He has special interest in science experiments and teaches the same to school and college students. He is also a technical lead at RUDE LABS PVT. LTD.