ANALYSIS

The experiment entitled Archimedes’ Principle has two objectives:

1. To study Archimedes’ Principle

2. To apply Archimedes’ principle in determining the density and specific
gravity of solids and liquids

In this experiment, the loss of weight method will be used to determine the density
and specific gravity of unknown liquid and solid samples.

Archimedes discovered that when a body is fully or partly

immersed in a liquid, that body experiences an upward force
(buoyant force) during this act the body undergoes an
apparent loss of weight. This loss is equal to the weight of the
displaced liquid. The displaced liquid is that volume of liquid
equal to the volume of the body below the water surface.
Mathematically, we can express this as,
Where:
𝑊𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 = apparent weight of obj.
𝑊𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 + 𝐵 − 𝑊 = 0
Submerged in the water
𝑊𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 + 𝐵 = 𝑊 𝐵 = Buoyant force
𝑊= actual weight of the obj.

Buoyancy can be observed when a body immersed in

water seems to weigh less than when it is in air. This is
the tendency of a liquid to exert an up thrust on an object
place in it which makes it float or rise. Buoyancy occurs
because the pressure of a fluid increases with depth. On
the other hand, the term used for the force experienced by
the submerged object is called the buoyant force.
Archimedes showed that an object immersed in fluid will be lighter by an amount
equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. This upward force (or buoyant force)
exerted on the object by the fluid is given by:
Where:
𝐵 = 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑉𝑔 𝐵 = Buoyant force
𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = Water density
𝑉 = Volume of water
𝑔= gravity
Density is an important property of any material. It is a characteristic physical
property of a substance. This means that no two materials have the same density. It
is mathematically defined as: Where:
𝜌 = Density of the material
𝑚 𝑚= Mass of the material
𝜌= 𝑣 = Volume of the material
𝑣
The SI unit of density is kilogram per cubic meter (1𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 ).

The specific gravity is defined as the weight of the body compared with an equal
amount of pure water at which the temperature of water is densest, 4°C and at
1000 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 . It also tells the number of times a certain material is denser than

water.

Specific gravity has no unit and can be expressed as the ratio of the object to the
density of water. Mathematically:

𝜌𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡
𝑠𝑝𝑔𝑟 =
𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
The table below shows the different densities of common substances.

SOLID DENSITY (𝑔/𝑐𝑚3 ) LIQUID DENSITY(𝑔/𝑐𝑚3 )

ALUMINUM 2.700 BENZENE 0.879
BRASS 8.440 ALCOHOL 0.820
COPPER 8.890 KEROSENE 0.700
IRON 7.500 TURPENTINE 0.873
The picture below shows the materials used in this experiment.

MATERIALS

1. Digital balance
2. Sample 1
3. Sample 2
4. Beaker
5. Hydrometer
6. Aluminum
7. Cork
8. Brass

In the first part of the experiment, we have determined the specific gravity of the
unknown solid samples which are heavier than water. In here, two variables
namely, 𝑊𝐴 (weight of the sample in air) and 𝑊𝑊 (weight of the sample in water)
are determined in order to compute for the specific gravity of the sample and to
determine what kind of metal the sample is using the table from the previous page.

𝑊𝐴
The formula, , is used to determine the specific gravity of the solid
𝑊𝐴 −𝑊𝑊

sample.

Figure A shows the unknown solid sample suspended below the digital balance to
determine the weight of the object in air. Figure B shows the unknown solid
sample submerged in water to determine its weight in water.
For the data and results of the first part of the experiment, refer to the table below.

Determination of Specific Gravity of Unknown Solid Samples Heavier than Water

Sample 1 Sample 2
Weight in air, 𝑊𝐴 44, 982 dynes 48,706 dynes
Weight in water, 𝑊𝑤 27,146 dynes 43,022 dynes
𝑊𝐴
Specific Gravity, SG= 2.522 8.569
𝑊𝐴 −𝑊𝑊

Name of Sample Aluminum Brass

For the first sample, its weight in air is measured as 44,982 dynes. Its weight in
water is 27,146 dynes. The computed specific gravity for the sample 1 is 2.522.
Through the table located at the second page, the first unknown sample is found to
be Aluminum. The second sample’s weight in air is 48,706 dynes from this value,
the weight of the sample decreases to 43,022 dynes when it was submerged in
water. Using the previous data, we were able to compute for the specific gravity of
sample 2 which is 8.569. The last solid sample was found to be a brass.

By the application of Archimedes’ principle, we were able to

compute for the specific gravity of the unknown solid samples.
As we can observe from the table above, the weight in water of
the samples is much lesser compared to the weight in air, this is
due to the buoyant force that pushes the object upward which in
turn opposes the weight of the object making the tension in the
string due to weight smaller. By making a free diagram, we
could clearly see how buoyant force affects the weight of the
object. (Refer to the figure on the right). Moreover, another thing that we noticed
was that the brass has greater specific gravity compared to the aluminium. This
means that brass can displaced more water than of the aluminium making the brass
denser compared to aluminium. The said claim is true because density is dependent
on the mass of the substance. The greater the mass, the higher the density.

The second part of the experiment involves the determination of the specific
gravity of unknown liquid samples. In this part, two liquid samples are unknown.
From the two metal samples, we had chosen the brass as the reference material or
density to determine the specific gravity of the unknown liquids. The set up for this
part is just similar to that of the first part of the experiment.

To determine the specific gravity of the unknown liquid samples the formula
below is used.

𝑾𝑨 − 𝑾𝑳
𝑺𝑮 =
𝑾𝑨 − 𝑾𝑾

The table below shows the data and results gathered from the second part of the
experiment.

Determination of Specific Gravity of Unknown Liquids

Sample 1 Sample 2
Weight in air, 𝑊𝐴 48,706 dynes 48,706 dynes
Weight in water, 𝑊𝑤 43,022 dynes 43,022 dynes
Weight in the liquid, 𝑊𝐿 44,002 dynes 42,908 dynes
Loss of weight in liquid, 𝑊𝐴 − 𝑊𝐿 4,704 dynes 5,798 dynes
𝑊𝐴 −𝑊𝐿 0.8276 1.02
Specific gravity, 𝑆𝐺 =
𝑊𝐴 −𝑊𝑊

Name of sample Alcohol Water

The loss of weight of the first unknown substance is 4,704 dynes while 5,798
dynes is for second unknown substance. The computed specific gravity for sample
1 and sample 2 are, 0.8276 and 1.02, respectively. From these data and from the
table on the second page, we were able to identify the unknown liquid substances.
Sample 1 is found to be an alcohol while sample 2 is water.

By analysis, we could see that the loss of weight in liquid is lesser in alcohol than
in water. Although not obvious, it is equal to the buoyant force of the liquid. And,
the trend goes that when loss of weight in liquid increase, then specific gravity also
increase. So, when the liquid is more buoyant, then
the liquid has higher density. It has a greater force to
rise up the object immersed on it. Furthermore and
for application, the picture on the left shows the
different liquid substances mixed together. The
denser liquid goes down of the other liquids that
have lesser density. This is the reason why oil just
stays up the surface of water and is immiscible with it.

The third part of the experiment is the easiest among all. In this part, we just used
the hydrometer to determine the specific gravity of unknown liquids. This method
is the also the simplest among all since it does not involve any computations. A
hydrometer is usually made of glass and consists of a cylindrical stem and a bulb
weighted with mercury or lead shot to make it
float upright. The liquid to be tested is poured into
a tall container, often a graduated cylinder, and the
hydrometer is gently lowered into the liquid until
it floats freely. The point at which the surface of
the liquid touches the stem of the hydrometer is
noted. Hydrometers usually contain a scale inside
the stem, so that the specific gravity can be read
directly. (Refer to the image below on how a hydrometer is used)
The table below shows the data and results in the third part of the experiment.

Determination of Specific Gravity of Unknown Liquids

Sample 1 Sample 2
Specific Gravity 0.86 1.00
Name of sample Alcohol Water
From the table above, we can say that the results in determining the specific
gravity of the objects using the hydrometer is more accurate compared to the
computation method which was presented on the second part of the experiment.
For alcohol, the specific gravity difference is 1.26% while for water it is 1.7%.
These differences can be due to the impurities present in the sample which can
actually affect the buoyancy of the substances.

In the last part of the experiment, we have determined the specific gravity of solid
lighter than water. In here, we had used the cork as the solid that has a lighter
weight than water. In order for the cork to submerge in the water, we had used the
brass and attached it to the end of the string tied on the hook of the digital balance.

The picture above shows the two different set-ups in the last part of the
experiment. Figure A shows the cork suspended in air while figure shows the cork
submerged in water.
To determine the specific gravity of the cork the formula below is used.

𝑾𝑨
𝑺𝑮 =
𝑾𝑪𝑨−𝑺𝑾 −𝑾(𝑪+𝑺)𝑾

The table below shows the data and results in this part of the experiment.
Determination of Specific Gravity of Solid Lighter than Water
Name of sample: CORK
Weight of the cork in air, 𝑊𝐴 2352 dynes
Weight of the cork in air and sinker in water, 𝑊𝐶𝐴−𝑆𝑊 45,374 dynes
Weight of both sinker and cork in water, 𝑊(𝐶+𝑆)𝑊 33,810 dynes
𝑊𝐴 0.203
Specific Gravity, 𝑆𝐺 =
𝑊𝐶𝐴−𝑆𝑊 −𝑊(𝐶+𝑆)𝑊

As with the first part of the experiment, the weight of the cork in air is much
heavier compared in water, the principle behind this is also due to the buoyant
force that lifts the object upward causing the weight to be lesser. Furthermore, we
must consider that we must not treat cork and the sinker as one component. It must
be treated individually because of their difference in density. So, the density of the
sinker is always considered for this type of determination.

Lastly, by wetting the cork, the result will not be affected. Although the wetted
cork may be seen as an impure material due to presence of adhering liquid, when it
is immersed on the same liquid, the adhering liquid will still exert a force (buoyant
force) against the cork. As a result, the effect of wetting will be negligible.

Sources:
[1] Young, Hugh D., University Physics with Modern Physics, 11th edition
[2] http://www.scribd.com/doc/24104845/Archimedes-Principle
[3] http://physicsprinciples.tripod.com/ArchimedesPrinciple/id8.html
CONCLUSION

In this experiment, we have determined the specific gravity of unknown solids and
liquids using Archimedes’ principle of loss of weight of materials when submerged
in water. Materials’ experienced loss of weight in water due to the buoyant force, a
force that pushes the object upward which in turn opposes the weight of the object
making the tension in the string due to weight smaller.

𝑊𝐴
In the first part of the experiment, we had used the formula, , to compute
𝑊𝐴 −𝑊𝑊

for the specific gravity of the unknown solids. The two unknown solids were found
to be aluminium and brass. Between these two samples, the brass has the greater
specific gravity due to its high weight making it denser compared to the
aluminium.

The second part of the experiment involves the determination of the specific
𝑊𝐴 −𝑊𝐿
gravity of unknown liquids. We had used the formula, , to determine the
𝑊𝐴 −𝑊𝑊

individual specific gravity of the unknown liquid samples. For reference, we had
used the density of the brass. The two unknown solids were found to be an alcohol
and water.

The third part of the experiment is the easiest part. We just used a hydrometer to
determine the specific gravity of the liquid samples. The possible errors for this
part will just be the impurities present in the samples.

𝑊𝐴
In the last part of the experiment, we used the equation, 𝑊𝐶𝐴−𝑆𝑊 −𝑊(𝐶+𝑆)𝑊
, to

determine the specific gravity of the cork, solid lighter than water. In order for the
cork to be submerged in water we used the brass as the sinker.