Junior Class 5 Answered
Why the object appear to be less heavy when immersed in water
Asked by reet_parth | 14 Aug, 2017, 04:20: PM
Expert Answer
- The weight of an object is due to the Earth’s gravitational force which pulls the object in the downward direction.
- When an object is placed in air, only one force, i.e. the gravitational force acts on it. Therefore, when we lift an object lying in air, we have to apply an upward force equal to the actual weight of the object.
- However, when the same object is placed in a liquid such as water, then two forces act on it, the downward force of gravity and the upward buoyant force of the liquid.
- The force of gravity pulls the object downwards while the buoyant force of the liquid pushes the object upwards.
- So, when we lift an object immersed in a liquid, then we have to apply a smaller upward force because a part of the upward force required to lift the object is provided by the buoyant force of the liquid. Hence, the object appears to be less heavy or lighter when immersed in the liquid.
Answered by Sheetal Kolte | 14 Aug, 2017, 05:54: PM
