PHYSICS

Study material for CLASS – IX

Chapter 5 Upthrust in Fluids, Archimedes’ Principle and Floatation

Answer 1.

When a body is partially or wholly immersed in a liquid, an upward force acts on it. This upward force is
known as an upthrust.

Upthrust can be demonstrated by the following experiment:

Take an empty can and close its mouth with an airtight stopper. Put it in a tub filled with water. It floats
with a large part of it above the surface of water and only a small part of it below the surface of water.
Push the can into the water. You can feel an upward force and you find it difficult to push the can
further into water. It is noticed that as the can is pushed more and more into the water, more and more
force is needed to push the can further into water, until it is completely immersed. When the can is fully
inside the water, a definite force is still needed to keep it at rest in that position. Again, if the can is
released in this position, it is noticed that the can bounces back to the surface and starts floating again.

Answer 2.

Buoyant force on a body due to a liquid acts upwards at the centre of buoyancy.

Answer 3.

The property of a liquid to exert an upward force on a body immersed in it is called buoyancy.

Answer 4.

The upward force exerted on a body by the fluid in which it is submerged is called the upthrust. Its S.I.
unit is ‘newton’.

Answer 5

A liquid contained in a vessel exerts pressure at all points and in all directions. The pressure at a point in
a liquid is the same in all directions – upwards, downwards and sideways. It increases with the depth
inside the liquid.
When a body is immersed in a liquid, the thrusts acting on the side walls of the body are neutralized as
they are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. However, the magnitudes of pressure on the
upper and lower faces are not equal. The difference in pressure on the upper and lower faces cause a
net upward force (= pressure x area) or upthrust on the body.

It acts at the centre of buoyancy.

Answer 6.

Upthrust due to water on block when fully submerged is more than its weight. Density of water is more
than the density of cork; hence, upthrust due to water on the block of cork when fully submerged in
water is more than its weight.

Answer 7.

A piece of wood if left under water comes to the surface of water because the upthrust on body due to
its submerged part is equal to its own weight.

Answer 8.

Experiment to show that a body immersed in a liquid appears lighter:

Take a solid body and suspend it by a thin thread from the hook of a spring balance as shown in the
above figure (a). Note its weight. Above figure (a) shows the weight as 0.67 N.
Then, take a can filled with water. Immerse the solid gently into the water while hanging from the hook
of the spring balance as shown in figure (b). Note its weight. Above figure (b) shows the weight as 0.40 N.

The reading in this case (b) shall be less than the reading in the case (a), which proves that a body
immersed in a liquid appears to be lighter.

Answer 9.

The readings in the spring balance decreases.

As the cylinder is immersed in the jar of water, an upward force acts on it, which is in opposition to the
weight component of the cylinder. Hence the cylinder appears to be lighter.

Answer 10.

A body shall weigh more in vacuum because in vacuum, i.e. in absence of air, no upthrust will act on the
body.

Answer 11.

Upthrust on a body depends on the following factors:

Volume of the body submerged in the liquid or fluid.

Density of liquid or fluid in which the body is submerged.

Answer 12.

Larger the volume of body submerged in liquid, greater is the upthrust acting on it.

Answer 13.

A stone falls faster.

Because the volume of stone is less than the volume of bunch of feathers of the same mass, the
upthrust due to air on stone is less than that on the bunch of feathers, and hence, the stone falls faster.

However, in vacuum, both shall fall together because there will be no upthrust.

Answer 14.

F2 > F1; Sea water is denser than river water; therefore, the upthrust due to sea water will be greater
than that due to river water at the same level. This shall make the body to appear lighter in the sea
water.

Answer 15.

Observation: Volume of a block of wood immersed in glycerine is smaller as compared to the volume of
block immersed in water.
Explanation: Density of glycerine is more than that of water. Hence, glycerine exerts more upthrust on
the block of wood than water, causing it to float in glycerine with a smaller volume.

Answer 16.

Answer 17.

Answer 18.

(a) Both have equal volumes.

(b) Bounce back to the surface.

(c) More than

Answer 19.
Consider a cylindrical body PQRS of cross-sectional area A immersed in a liquid of density ρ as shown in
the figure above. Let the upper surface PQ of the body is at a depth h1 while its lower surface RS is at
depth h2 below the free surface of liquid.

At depth h1, the pressure on the upper surface PQ,

P1 = h1 ρg.

Therefore, the downward thrust on the upper surface PQ,

F1 = Pressure x Area = h1 ρgA ……………….(i)

At depth h2, pressure on the lower surface RS,

P2 = h2 ρg

Therefore, the upward thrust on the lower surface RS,

F2 = Pressure x Area = h2 ρgA …………………(ii)

The horizontal thrust at various points on the vertical sides of body get balanced because the liquid
pressure is the same at all points at the same depth.

From the above equations (i) and (ii), it is clear that F2 > F1 because h2 > h1 and therefore, body will
experience a net upward force.

Resultant upward thrust or buoyant force on the body,

FB = F2 – F1

= h2 ρgA – h1 ρgA

= A (h2 – h1) ρg

However, A (h2 – h1) = V, the volume of the body is submerged in a liquid.

Therefore, upthrust FB = V ρg.

Now, V g = Volume of solid immersed x Density of liquid x Acceleration due to gravity

= Volume of liquid displaced x Density of liquid x Acceleration due to gravity

= Mass of liquid displaced x Acceleration due to gravity

= Weight of the liquid displaced by the submerged part of the body

Thus, Upthrust FB = weight of the liquid displaced by the submerged part of the body…..(iii)
Now, let us take a solid and suspend it by a thin thread from the hook of a spring balance and note its
weight.

Then take a eureka can and fill it with water up to its spout. Arrange a measuring cylinder below the
spout of the eureka can as shown. Immerse the solid gently in water. The water displaced by the solid is
collected in the measuring cylinder.selina-icse-solutions-class-9-physics-upthrust-fluids-archimedes-
principle-floatation-5a-19s-1

When the water stops dripping through the spout, note the weight of the solid and volume of water
collected in the measuring cylinder.

From the diagram, it is clear that

Loss in weight (Weight in air – Weight in water) = Volume of water displaced.

Or, Loss in weight = Volume of water displaced x 1 gcm-3 [Because the density of water = 1 gcm-3]

Or, Loss in weight = Weight of water displaced ……………(iv)

From equations (iii) and (iv),

Loss in weight = Upthrust or buoyant force

Answer 20.

Since the spheres have the same radius, both will have an equal volume inside water, and hence, the
upthrust acted by water on both the spheres will be the same.

Hence, the required ratio of upthrust acting on two spheres is 1:1.

Answer 21.

Sphere of iron will sink.

Density of iron is more than the density of water, so the weight of iron sphere will be more than the
upthrust due to water in it; thus, it causes the iron sphere to sink.

Density of wood is less than the density of water, so the weight of sphere of wood shall be less than the
upthrust due to water in it. So, the sphere of wood will float with a volume submerged inside water
which is balanced by the upthrust due to water.

Answer 22.

The bodies of average density greater than that of the liquid sink in it. While the bodies of average
density equal to or smaller than that of liquid float on it.
Answer 23.

(i) The body will float if ρ ≤ ρL

(ii) The body will sink if ρ > ρL

Answer 24.

It is easier to lift a heavy stone under water than in air because in water, it experiences an upward
buoyant force which balances the actual weight of the stone acting downwards. Thus, due to upthrust
there is an apparent loss in the weight of the heavy stone, which makes it lighter in water, and hence
easy to lift.

Answer 25.

Archimedes’ principle states that when a body is immersed partially or completely in a liquid, it
experiences an upthrust, which is equal to the weight of liquid displaced by it.

Answer 26.

Let us take a solid and suspend it by a thin thread from the hook of a spring balance and note its weight
(Fig a).

Then take a eureka can and fill it with water up to its spout. Arrange a measuring cylinder below the
spout of the eureka can as shown. Immerse the solid gently in water. The water displaced by the solid
gets collected in the measuring cylinder.

When water stops dripping through the spout, note the weight of the solid and volume of water
collected in the measuring cylinder.

From diagram, it is clear that

Loss in weight (Weight in air – weight in water) = 300 gf – 200 gf = 100 gf

Because density of water = 1 gcm-3

Weight of water displaced = 100 gf = Upthrust or loss in weight

This verifies Archimedes’ principle.

Exercise 5(B)

Answer 1.

The density of a substance is its mass per unit volume.

Answer 2.

(i) The C.G.S. unit of density is gcm-3.

(ii) The S.I. unit of density is kgm-3.

Answer 3.

1 gcm-3 = 1000 kgm-3

Answer 4.

It means the mass of 1 m-3 of iron is 7800 kg.

Answer 5.

Density of water at 4°C in S.I. units is 1000 kgm-3.

Answer 6.

(i) Mass of a metallic body remains unchanged with increase in temperature.

(ii) Volume of metallic body increases with an increase in temperature.

(iii) Density (= Mass/volume) of a metallic body decreases with an increase in temperature.

Answer 7.

On heating from 0°C, the density of water increases up to 4°C and then decreases beyond 4°C.

Answer 8.

(i) Volume, (ii) kg m-3, (iii) 1000 and (iv) 1000

The relative density of a substance is the ratio of density of that substance to the density of water at 4°C.

Answer 10.

Relative density is the ratio of two similar quantities; thus, it has no unit.

Answer 11.

Density of a substance is the ratio of its mass to its volume but R.D. of a substance is the ratio of density
of that substance to the density of water at 4°C.

Answer 12.

Steps:

With the help of a physical balance, find the weight, W1 of the given solid.

Immerse the solid completely in a beaker filled with water such that it does not touch the walls and
bottom of beaker, and find the weight W2 of solid in water.

Observations:

Loss in weight of solid when immersed in water = (W1 – W2) gf

R.D. = Weight of solid in air/Loss of weight of solid in water

R.D. = W1/(W1 – W2).

If the solid is soluble in water, then instead of water, take a liquid in which the solid is insoluble and it
sinks in the liquid.

Then, R.D. = (Weight of solid in air/Loss of weight of solid in liquid) x R.D. of the liquid
Answer 13.

Answer 14.

Experimental determination of R.D. of a solid lighter than water (such as cork):

• Take a sinker (i.e. a piece of metal or stone).

• Place a beaker nearly two-third filled with water on a wooden bridge kept over the left pan of a
physical balance.

• Suspend the sinker with a thread from the hook of the left pan of balance so that it is
completely immersed in water (as shown in the figure below). Find the weight W1 of the sinker
in water.

• Tie the given solid (say, a cork) in the middle of a thread, and then measure the weight W2 of a
solid in the air along with the sinker in water.

• Tie the cork with the sinker and immerse both of them completely in water of beaker and
measure the weight W3 of the solid and sinker both in water.

Observations:

Weight of the sinker in water = W1gf

Weight of the sinker in water and cork in air = W2gf

Weight of sinker and cork together in water = W3gf

Calculations:
Weight of cork in air = (W2 – W1) gf

Weight of cork in water = (W3 – W1) gf

Loss in weight of the cork in water = Weight of cork in air Weight of cork in water.

= [(W2 – W1) – (W3 – W1)] gf

= (W2 – W3) gf

R.D. of cork = Weight of cork in air/Loss of weight of cork in water

Or, R.D. of cork = (W2 – W1)/(W2 – W3).

Answer 15.

The weight of the sinker and cork combined, in water will be less than the weight of the sinker alone in
water because the upthrust due to water on cork (when completely immersed) is more than the weight
of cork itself.

Exercise 5(C)

Answer 1.

According to the principle of floatation, the weight of a floating body is equal to the weight of the liquid
displaced by its submerged part.

Answer 2.

(i) Two forces acting on the body are as listed below:

(a) Weight of the body (downwards)

(b) Upthrust of the liquid (upwards)

(ii) If the weight of the body is greater than the upthrust acting on it, the body will sink

If the weight of the body is equal to or less than the upthrust acting on it, the body will float.
(iii) (a) The net force acting on the body when it sinks is body’s own weight.

(b) The net force acting on the body when it floats is the upthrust due to the liquid.

Answer 3.

The reading on the spring balance will be zero because wood floats on water and while floating the
apparent weight = 0.

Answer 4.

(a) The ball will float because the density of ball (i.e. iron) is less than the density of mercury.

(b) While floating, the apparent weight = 0.

Answer 5.

The body will float if its density is less than or equal to the density of the liquid ρS ≤ ρL.

The body will sink if its density is greater than the density of the liquid ρS > ρL.

Answer 6.

Density of iron is less than the density of mercury; hence, an iron nail floats in mercury and density of
iron is more than the density of water; hence, an iron nail sinks in water.

Answer 7.

(i) Weight of the floating body is equal to the upthrust.

(ii) While floating, the apparent weight is zero.

Answer 8.

When the body is partially immersed, its centre of buoyancy will be below the centre of gravity of the
block.

When the body is completely immersed, its centre of buoyancy will coincide the centre of gravity.

Answer 9.

The upthrust on the body by each liquid is the same and equal to the weight of the body.

However, upthrust = Volume submerged × ρL × g,

For the liquid C, since the volume submerged is least so the density ρ3 must be maximum.

Answer 10.
The forces acting are as listed below:

Weight of the body acting downwards.

Upthrust due to water acting upwards.

Weight of water displaced by the floating body = Weight of the body

Answer 11.

Centre of buoyancy: It is the point through which the resultant of the buoyancy forces on a submerged
body act; it coincides with the centre of gravity of the displaced liquid, if the body is completely
immersed.

For a floating body with its part submerged in the liquid, the centre of buoyancy is at the centre of
gravity of the submerged part of the body and it lies vertically below the centre of gravity of the entire
body.

Answer 12.

Observation : The balloon will sink.

Explanation : As air is pumped out from jar, the density of air in jar decreases, so the upthrust on balloon
decreases. As weight of balloon exceeds the upthrust on it, it sinks.

Answer 13.

(a) It will float with some part outside water.

Reason : On adding some salt to water, the density of water increases, so upthrust on a block of wood
increases, and hence, the block rises up till the weight of salty water displaced by the submerged part of
block becomes equal to the weight of the block.

(b) The block will sink.

Reason: On heating, the density of water decreases, so upthrust on the block decreases and the weight
of block exceeds upthrust due to which it sinks.

Answer 14.
Answer 15.

Density of brine is more than the density of water. Hence, the upthrust exerted by brine is more than
the upthrust exerted by water on ice. Therefore, floating ice is less submerged in brine.

Answer 16.

(i) 1:1; The weight of the water displaced by the man in sea and river will be same and will be equal to
his own weight.

(ii) He finds it easier to swim in the sea because the density of sea water is more than the density of river
water. So his weight is balanced in sea water with a part of his body submerged in the water.

Answer 17.

An iron nail sinks in water because density of iron is more than the density of water, so the weight of the
nail is more than the upthrust of water on it.

On the other hand, ships are also made of iron, but they do not sink. This is because the ship is hollow
and the empty space in it contains air, which makes its average density less than that of water.
Therefore, even with a small portion of ship submerged in water, the weight of water displaced by the
submerged part of ship becomes equal to the total weight of ship and it floats.

Answer 18

Due to the hollow and empty space in the ship, the average density of a ship is less than the density of
water.
Answer 19.

When a floating piece of ice melts into water, it contracts by the volume equal to the volume of ice
pieces above the water surface while floating on it. Hence, the level of water does not change when ice
floating on it melts.

Answer 20.

Forces acting on the body are listed below:

Weight of the body vertically downwards.

Upthrust of water on body vertically upwards.

Tension in thread vertically downwards.

Answer 21.

A ship submerges more as it sails from sea water to river water.

Density of river water is less than the density of sea water. Hence, according to the law of floatation, to
balance the weight of the ship, a greater volume of water is required to be displaced in river water of
lower density.

Answer 22.

(a) Icebergs are dangerous for ships as they may collide with them. Icebergs being lighter than water,
float on water with a major part of their surfaces laying under the water surface and only a small part
lies outside water. Thus, it becomes difficult for the driver of the ship to estimate the size of the iceberg.

(b) Density of a strong salt Solution is more than the density of fresh water. Hence, the salt Solution
exerts a greater upthrust on the egg which balances the weight of the egg, so the egg floats in a strong
salt Solution but sinks in fresh water.

(c) Density of hydrogen is much less than the density of carbon dioxide. When a balloon is filled with
hydrogen, the weight of the air displaced by an inflated balloon (i.e. upthrust) becomes more than the
weight of a gas filled balloon, and hence, it rises. In case of a balloon filled with carbon dioxide, weight
of the balloon becomes more than the upthrust of the air, and hence, it sinks to the floor.

(d) As a ship in harbor is unloaded, its weight decreases. As a result, it displaces less water, and the
ship’s hull rises in water till the weight of the water displaced balances the weight of the unloaded ship.

(e) The reason is that the density of air decreases with altitude. Therefore, as the balloon gradually goes
up, the weight of the displaced air (i.e. uphrust) decreases. It keeps on rising as long as the upthrust
exceeds its weight. When upthrust becomes equal to its weight, it stops rising.
(f) Density of river water is less than the density of sea water. Hence, according to the law of floatation,
to balance the weight of the ship, a great volume of water is required to be displaced in river water
having a comparitively lower density.