Buoyancy

Buoyancy is the upward force exerted by the fluid on an

immersed body, to lift it up.

If a body floats in water then the total downward force must

be equal to the total upward force. The downward force is due
to the weight of the body and the upward force is the force of
buoyancy.

More is the liquid density, lesser is the depth of immersion.

di = (Volume immersed) / (Cross sectional area)

Archimedes Principle of floatation:

If a body is to float in fluid then the force of buoyancy must

be greater than or equal to the weight of the body. i.e. U  W

Where, U = Force of buoyancy ; W = Weight of the body

Center of Buoyancy ‘B’:

Center of buoyancy is the point where all the resultant of

upward forces of fluid appears to act.
Incase of transverse section of a floating body the center of
the area of the immersed section, is also the center of
buoyancy.

Center of buoyancy = di/2

Metacenter ‘M’:

Metacenter is a point about which a floating body is supposed

to oscillate when given a small angular displacement.

It is the point of intersection of line passing through the

original center of buoyancy (B) and center of gravity (G) and
a new line through new position of center of buoyancy (B1)
provided the object is given a small angular displacement.

Determination of metacentric height (GM):

(i) Analytical Method

GM = BM - BG

(ii) Experimental Method:

Consider a ship floating in water. Let a weight P be moved

right, across the ship, through a distance ‘X’. Let  be the
angle of heel. Buoyancy shifts from B to B1.
Clockwise moment because of shifting of P = P.X

Also a restoring moment of U equal to weight = W.BB1 …

where W = Total weight of ship

= W.(GM.tan) … as  is very small

These two moments will be equal to each other. So,

W.(GM.tan) = P.X

GM = PX / W.tan

Conditions of Equilibrium:

There are three conditions of equilibrium of floating bodies:

1. Stable Equilibrium (M > G)

If the floating body returns to the original position when given
a small angular displacement, the body is said to be in stable
equilibrium.

2. Unstable Equilibrium (M < G)

If the floating body does not return to original position when

given small angular displacement and it further heels away,
the body is said to be in unstable equilibrium.

3. Neutral Equilibrium (M = G)

If the floating body occupies a new position and remains at

rest in the new position when given a small angular
displacement, the body is said to be in neutral equilibrium.

Problem: No. 21. A solid cylinder 2 m in diameter and 2 m high is

floating in water with its axis vertical. If the specific gravity of the
material of the cylinder is 0.65, find its metacentric height. Also state
whether the equilibrium is stable or not.

Depth of cylinder in water = specific gravity of the body * height of

the body

BM = I/V, I = moment of inertia, V = Volume immersed

 π 4 π 2
I along axis YY = 64 ,
d V= 4 *
d 1.3 =

OG = 2/2 = 1 m, OB = Depth of immersion/2 = 1.3/2 = 0.65 m

BM = 0.192 m

GB or BG = OG – OB = 0.35 m

GM = BM-BG = - 0.158 m