E206: ARCHIMEDES PRINCIPLE

SAMARTINO, John Megryan B.

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this experiment is to know and
learn the concept and science behind the
Archimedes Principle by using the determination
of density and the specific gravity of some
unknown solids and liquids.
Archimedes Principle which is also called as law
of buoyancy states that anything fully or partially
submerged in a fluid at rest is acted upon by an
upward, or buoyant force the magnitude of which
is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by
the body.
The main objectives of this experiment are
determining of the specific gravity of an unknown
solid sample heavier than water, determining of
the specific gravity of an unknown liquid and
determining what liquid was used, determining
the specific gravity of an unknown liquid sample
using a hydrometer and determining of the
specific gravity of a solid lighter than water.
MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fig1: These are the materials that were used

during the whole experiment; digital balance,
Iron stand, hydrometer, set of weights, 2 pcs of
250-ml graduated cylinder, 3 pcs of 250-ml
beaker, cork, string, and 2 pcs of metal
(aluminum and brass).

OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS

The experiment is made up of 4 parts which are
determining the specific gravity of an unknown
solid sample heavier than water, determining the
specific gravity of an unknown liquid sample,
determining the specific gravity of an unknown
liquid
sample
using
a
hydrometer
and
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determining the specific gravity of a solid lighter

than water.
In the experiment, our lab assistants are the one
who made the setup of the experiment which is
by suspending the digital balance in the air using
the iron stand.

In the second part of the experiment, we chose

from one of the 2 weights given or used in the
first part of the experiment. We placed the liquid
sample in the beaker to provide more space and
volume for our weight. Then we submerged the
metal completely in the first liquid sample and
recorded its weight in the liquid.

In the first part of our experiment, we first placed

the weight on the digital balance suspended on
the air and weigh it.

Fig4: Submerging the metal sample to the liquid

sample.
Then we computed for the loss of weight of the
liquid and its specific gravity. We repeated the
process for the second liquid sample and
compared it to its actual values.
Fig2: Weighing the metal sample.
Next we submerge the sample in a beaker of
water and then we find its weight while it is on
the water.

Fig3: Submerging the metal sample in the beaker

full of water.
Then we compute for the loss of weight of the
sample. After which, we computed for the specific
gravity. Next we used determined the weight of
the sample by repeating the process. Lastly we
compared our experimental results to the actual
values.

In the third part of our experiment, a hydrometer

and the two liquid sample is used to know the
specific gravity. We just submerged the
hydrometer to the 2 graduated cylinder filled with
liquid. Then we compared the results we got to
the actual value of the specific gravity of the
liquid.

Fig5: Submerging the hydrometer to find the

specific gravity of the liquid sample.
In the fourth part of our experiment we
determined the specific gravity of a solid lighter
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TABLE A. Determination of Specific Gravity of

Unknown Solid Samples Heavier than Water
Sample 1

Sample 2

weight in air,
Wa

44.4

48.9

weight in
water, Ww

27

43.3

Specific
Gravity, SG
Name of
Sample (see
table 1)
Percent Error

2.551724
138

8.732142
857

Aluminum

Brass

5.491698
595

3.461408
26

Fig8: Submerging the cork and the metal smaple

Lastly we computed for the loss of weight of the
cork and its specific gravity.

than water. We got the piece of cork then

weighed it.

OBSERVATION AND RESULT

The table above shows the different specific
gravities obtained from the first part of the two
metal samples.

Sample computation: Sample 1

Fig6: Weighing the cork

We chose one metal sample to act as a sinker.
We tied the cork below the metal sample in the
string then hanged it in the setup.

SG=

WA
W AW W

SG=

44.4 g
44.4 g27 g

SG=2.55

Fig7: Tying the cork and the metal sample

We submerged first the sinker to find its weight
then next we submerged the sinker with the
cork.
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TABLE B. Deterination of Specific Gravity of

Unknown Liquids
Sample 1

Sample 2

weight in air, Wa

44.4

49

weight in water,
Ww

27

43.3

Weight in the
liquid, Wl

27

44.3

Loss of weight in
liquid Wa-Wl

17.4

4.7

Specific Gravity, SG

0.824

Name of Sample
(see table 1)

Water

Alchoh
ol

Percent Error

0.56

The table above shows the specific gravities of

the two unknown liquid samples.
Sample computation: Sample 1

SG=

W A W L
W AW W

SG=

44.427 g
44.4 g27 g

SG=1

/ water

TABLE C. Determination of Specific Gravity

of Unknown Solid Samples Heavier than
Water
Sample
1

Sample
2

Specific Gravity

0.825

Name of Sample
(see table 1)

Alcoh
ol

Wate
r

Percent Error

0.61

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The table above shows the two specific gravities

TABLE D. Determination of Specific

Gravity of Solid Lighter than Water

Name of sample: CORK

weight of cork in air, Wa

weight of cork in air and

sinker in water, W(CASW)

28.7

weight of both sinker and

cork in water, W(C+S)W

17.9

Specific Gravity, SG

0.18

of the unknown liquids being obtained using

hydrometer. A higher specific gravity will result in
a greater length of the stem above the surface,
while a lower specific gravity will cause the
hydrometer to float lower.
The table shows the specific gravity of the cork
obtained from the experiment.
Sample Computation: cork

WA
SG =
W CASW W (S +C ) W

SG=

2g
28.7 g2 g

SG=0.18

Archimedes principle is about the weight of a

certain body in air minus its weight in liquid is
equal to the weight of the liquif displaced by the
body. If we submerged the body in a liquid, it
experiences an upward force which is the
buoyant force. Specific gravity is stated as the
weight of the body compared with an equal
amount of water.
In the first part of the experiment, I have noticed
that the mass of brass is greater than the mass
of aluminum but it can displace a greater amount
of water than the brass which we can say that
brass is denser than the aluminum.
In the second part of our experiment we have
observed that the weight of the sample metal in
air is greater than the weight of the metal in
water. This is due to the buoyant force, Alcohol
lose fewer weight than water which we can say
that alcohol is more buoyant and contains higher
density.
In the third part of the experiment, two specific
gravities of the unknown liquids being obtained
using hydrometer. A higher specific gravity will
result in a greater length of the stem above the
surface, while a lower specific gravity will cause
the hydrometer to float lower.
In the fourth part of the experiment, we have
found out that materials lighter than water will
float that is why a sinker is used to submerge the
cork.
CONCLUSION
In this experiment, with all the data and
observation gathered by our group, I can now
therefore conclude that when the loss of weight
in liquid increases, the specific gravity will most
likely increase because when the liquid is more
buoyant, the liquid has a higher density. This
density is the one who is responsible for making
a force to float the object that is being
submerged.

DISCUSSION
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Archimedes Principle, when it is fully submerged

in a liquid, it experiences buoyant force and it is
equal to the weight of the liquid displaced. The
buoyant force causes the body to lessen its
weight In real life, we apply this principle on
submarines, ships and balloons.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, I want to thank my beloved
groupmates because of their effort, cooperation
and help to finish or accomplish our experiment.
Without them I will have a really hard time in
finishing this experiment.

REFERENCES
The editors of Encyclopedia Britannica.
(n.d.). Archimedes' principle | physics |
Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved
September 08, 2015, from
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/top
ic/32827/Archimedes-principle
Archimedes' Principle. (n.d.). Retrieved
September 08, 2015, from
http://physics.weber.edu/carroll/archimed
es/principle.htm

To our wonderful and knowledgeable professor,

Prof. Ricardo De Leon, I would like to thank you
for helping us, giving us information, teaching us
the concept of the experiment and for being so
approachable and considerate to your students. I
hope for many years to come you would still
inspire and motivate many students by your
teaching.
To our lab assistants, thank you for assisting us
in borrowing the lab materials and for setting up
the needed apparatus for this experiment.
Lastly to my beloved parents, thank you for
believing in me, for supporting me and for loving
me with your whole heart and soul. I will promise
that I will repay all you have done for me.

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