Immersed Weight Calculator

Calculate object weight when submerged in liquids using Archimedes' principle

Object Properties

Weight of the object in air

Total volume of the object

Example: Rock in Water

Given Values

Rock weight: 500 grams

Rock volume: 200 ml

Water density: 1000 kg/m³

Calculation

Buoyant Force = ρ_water × V_object × g

Buoyant Force = 1000 × 0.0002 × 9.8 = 1.96 N

Immersed Weight = 4.9 N - 1.96 N = 2.94 N

Result: 300 grams (will sink)

Key Physics Principles

1

Archimedes' Principle

Buoyant force equals weight of displaced fluid

2

Buoyant Force

F_b = ρ_liquid × V_object × g

3

Immersed Weight

W_immersed = W_object - F_buoyant

Common Liquid Densities

Gasoline720 kg/m³
Alcohol790 kg/m³
Oil920 kg/m³
Water1000 kg/m³
Sea Water1025 kg/m³
Honey1420 kg/m³
Mercury13534 kg/m³

Physics Tips

Negative immersed weight means the object will float

Higher liquid density creates more buoyant force

Object density determines sink or float behavior

Volume affects total buoyant force magnitude

Understanding Immersed Weight and Buoyancy

What is Immersed Weight?

Immersed weight is the apparent weight of an object when it's submerged in a liquid. Due to buoyancy, objects feel lighter underwater than they do in air. This phenomenon explains why we feel weightless when swimming.

Archimedes' Principle

  • Any object immersed in fluid experiences upward buoyant force
  • Buoyant force equals weight of displaced fluid
  • Explains why ships float and rocks sink

Key Formulas

Buoyant Force:
F_b = ρ_liquid × V_object × g

Immersed Weight:
W_immersed = W_object - F_buoyant

Object Density:
ρ_object = m_object / V_object

Variables

  • ρ: Density (kg/m³)
  • V: Volume (m³)
  • g: Gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s²)
  • F_b: Buoyant force (N)
  • W: Weight (N)

Float or Sink?

Will Sink

  • • ρ_object > ρ_liquid
  • • Positive immersed weight
  • • Buoyant force < Object weight
  • • Example: Rock in water

Neutrally Buoyant

  • • ρ_object = ρ_liquid
  • • Zero immersed weight
  • • Buoyant force = Object weight
  • • Example: Submarine submerged

Will Float

  • • ρ_object < ρ_liquid
  • • Negative immersed weight
  • • Buoyant force > Object weight
  • • Example: Wood in water

Real-World Applications

Engineering Applications

  • • Ship design and naval architecture
  • • Submarine ballast systems
  • • Hot air balloon calculations
  • • Offshore platform stability
  • • Hydrometers for density measurement

Scientific Applications

  • • Material density determination
  • • Geological surveys underwater
  • • Marine biology research
  • • Quality control in manufacturing
  • • Archaeological underwater excavation