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F2-08: BUOYANCY - BATTLESHIP IN BATHTUB

f2-08a

  • ID Code: F2-08
  • Purpose: Illustrate Archimedes' Law in a counterintuitive manner.
  • Description:

    A block of wood is "floated" in a volume of water much smaller than the volume of the wood block. The water is poured into a container the same shape, but slightly larger than the wood block, then the wood block is inserted.

    In the wonderland world of the physicist, a battleship could be floated in a bathtub using one cup of water, if the tub were the right shape!
  • Availability: Available
  • References: https://lecdem.physics.umd.edu/images/ArchivedWebsite/services/refs/refsf.htm#F2-08