E206: ARCHIMEDES PRINCIPLE

FRISNEDI, Nadine T.

OBJECTIVE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This experiment has four parts in which there are

two main objectives that must be achieved. He
first one is to study Archimedes principle.
Archimedes Principle states that the upward force
which is the buoyant force that is exerted on a
body partially or fully immersed in liquid is equal
to weight of the liquid that the body displaces. The
purpose of this experiment is to showcase the
science
behind
Archimedes
principle,
determination of the density and specific gravity
of unknown solid and liquid model through their
weight loss with the help of Archimedes principle
and the experiment.

Since the equipment used in this experiment

requires proper care, the best strategy of our
group was to follow the procedures and conduct
the experiment properly. It is also necessary that
to make sure that the samples wont be
contaminated. Electronic balance, hydrometer,
two pieces if 250-ml graduated cylinder which
contains water and denatured alcohol, three
pieces of 250-ml beaker, cork, string and 2 pieces
of metal specimen were the materials and
equipment used in the experiment. (See Figure 1).

The second objective is to apply Archimedes

principle in determining the density and specific
gravity of solids and liquids. Density is the physical
property of a substance which is the ratio of mass
to volume while specific gravity is dimensionless
but it is the ratio of the density of a substance to
the density of a reference substance. Water is
commonly used as the reference substance.
Figure 1. Materials and equipment used in the experiment.

This experiment will help students to understand

how density is related to Archimedes principle and
be able to gain more knowledge and appreciation
about the concepts in density and specific gravity.
The students will also know how the weight of an
object affects its density.
At the end of the experiment, it is expected for the
students to learn Archimedes Principle and
understand the presence of an upward force when
an object is immersed in a liquid.
The significance of this experiment is that it is a
way of showing why and how some objects sink
while others do not and also help the students be
able to understand the applications of the given
laboratory formulas in solving problems involving
Physics.
Equipment used should be handled with care and
procedures must be followed correctly to avoid the
occurrence of problems.

To be able to use time efficiently, the students

were instructed to label the two graduated
cylinders with sample 1 and 2. It was revealed that
the clear one was water and was labeled as sample
1 while the yellowish liquid is actually denatured
alcohol and labeled as sample 2. A hydrometer
was used in this part since it can measure the
specific gravity or relative density of the two
liquids which are the denatured alcohol and water.
This part is actually the third part of the
experiment, it would be time consuming to
transfer the liquids more than once so the students
performed the third part of the experiment first.
Another thing about the hydrometer is that it is
made of fragile glass and it needs an extra care
before using because of sensitivity. The
hydrometer was submerged downward on the first
sample until its tip will touch the bottom part of
the graduated cylinder and was released and
allowed to float. The specific gravity was
determined by the reading on the hydrometer. A
photo was taken in order to have an accurate
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measurement of the specific gravity of the liquid

sample. To make sure that the other liquid sample
wont be contaminated, the hydrometer was wiped
dry. The same procedure was done for the second
liquid sample.

it touch the bottom of the beaker and measure its

weight while it is in water, .

Figure 4. Getting the Weight in water of Metal Sample 1

Figure 2. Determining the Specific Gravity of Liquid Sample 2

The experimental values of each sample were

compared to the actual values which are given in
the table and the percent error was computed for
both samples.

The students then computed for the loss of weight

of the sample was computed by getting the
difference of the weight of the metal sample in the
electronic balance and its weight while submerged
in water. Then, the specific gravity of the metal
sample was determined using the equation: =

. The same procedures were repeated using

After doing the third part, the group then focused

on the first part of the experiment which deals with
the determination of the specific gravity of an
unknown solid sample that is heavier than water.
The group decided that the metal specimen which
is gray in color as the sample 1. The string
connected on it was tied loosely in such way that
it can hang on the hook under the suspended
electronic balance. The electronic balance was set
to grams and made sure that the reading is in zero
before putting the metal sample. The reading from
the electronic balance was recorded as weight in
air, .

Figure 3. Getting the Weight in air of Metal Sample 1

The students were instructed to use another

beaker to be filled with tap water from the faucet.
Afterwards, the sample was submerge completely
in a beaker of tap water but remember to not let

the other sample (the gold one).

Figure 5. Getting the Weight in air of Metal Sample 2

Figure 6. Getting the Weight in water of Metal Sample 2

It was identified that Sample 1 was aluminum and

Sample 2 was brass since computed specific
gravity that for both samples are closest to those
types of metals based from the table of densities
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of some solids and liquids. The experimental

values of both samples were compared with the
actual values to get the percent error.
The second part of the experiment deals with the
determination of the specific gravity of unknown
liquid samples. The students choose the aluminum
as the metal sample to be used. Since the weight
in air and weight in water of aluminum has already
been measured, we can use the data already. The
liquid samples were transferred into their assigned
beakers and labeled as sample 1 and 2.

Figure 7. Transferring the Liquid Sample 1 to the beaker.

Figure 8. Transferring the Liquid Sample 2 to the beaker.

After getting the weight in air and in water, the

aluminum metal was submerged completely into
sample 1 but remember to not let it touch the
bottom of the beaker and recorded its weight in
the liquid, .

Figure 9. Getting the Weight in liquid of aluminum in Sample 1

Again, we find the loss of weight of body in liquid

by getting the difference of the weight of the
aluminum in the electronic balance and its weight
while submerged in the liquid. The specific gravity
of the liquid was computed using the

equation: = . Using a different liquid

sample, the procedures were repeated. After

gathering all the data, the experimental values of
the densities of the liquids were computed and
then compared to its actual values based from the
given tabulation of densities of some solids and
liquids in the laboratory manual so it can be
identified. The percent error for both liquids were
computed.
For the last part of the experiment, which is the
determination of specific gravity of a solid lighter
than water. The cork was the main material to be
observed. The group decided to ask for an
additional piece of string from the laboratory
assistants in order to get the weight of the cork by
tying the cork to the string and attaching it to the
hook under the electronic balance.

Figure 10. Getting the Weight in air of cork

The metal sample that we used was the brass

which served as the sinker. The string was
attached to the cork and the sinker hung below it.
The sinker was submerged to the water while the
cork was attached above it. The weight of the cork
while the sinker was submerged was recorded as
.

Figure 11. Getting the Weight of cork in air and sinker in water.
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Next, both the sinker and the cork were

submerged to the water and their weight was
recorded as (+) . The loss of weight of the cork
was computed by getting the difference of the
weight of cork while the sinker was submerged
and the weight when both the cork and the sinker
is submerged into the water. The specific gravity
of the cork was computed by using the equation:

=
.

= 2.7257
=

OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS

Observing the data gathered from Table A, it

shows that the first and second metal has a
specific
gravity
of
2.7257
and
8.1333,
respectively. From the comparison of the specific
gravity of known objects, the two sample metals
are aluminum and brass. The percent error we
have computed were 0.9505% for aluminum and
3.6335% for Brass.
TABLE A. Determining the Specific Gravity of
an Unknown Solid Sample Heavier
Sample 1

Sample 2

weight in air,

30.8 g

48.8g

weight in water,

19.5g

42.8g

Specific Gravity,

2.7257

8.1333

Name of Sample

Aluminum

Brass

Percent Error

0.9505%

3.6335%

In the second table. The aluminum was the metal

used. This means that the weight in air and water
are already given. The weight of the aluminum
when submerged to the liquids. Observing the
data gathered in Table B, it shows that in the two
unknown liquid samples, the weight of the sample
metal in air is greater than the weight of the
sample metal in water. The reason for this is that
because of the upward buoyant force, water exerts
an upward force, which is the buoyant force,
making the tension due to weight of the sample
metal smaller. Additionally, it can be seen that the
loss of weight in liquid is lesser in sample 2 which
the alcohol than in ample 1 which is water.
Although it is not obvious that it is equal to the
buoyant force of the liquid. The specific gravity of
the liquids were computed using the formula: =

. The specific gravity was computed and with

these results, it was easy to identify the name of

the unknown liquids which are water and alcohol,
respectively.
TABLE B. Determining the Specific Gravity of
an Unknown Liquid
Sample 1

Sample 2

weight in air,

30.8 g

48.8 g

weight in water,

19.5g

42.8g

weight in liquid,

21.3g

43.5g

9.5g

5.3g

0.8407

0.8833

Water

Denatured
Alcohol

15.9292%

11.9561%

Loss of weight
liquid,
Specific Gravity,

=

Name of Sample

|2.7000 2.7257|
100%
2.7000

= 0.9505%

In the first table, the weight of the brass and the

aluminum was obtained using the electronic
balance. Their weight in water was also obtained
when they have been submerged into water while
the string is attached to the electronic balance.
The specific gravity was determined using the
weights of two unknown metal samples in air and
their weight in water. The specific gravity was

computed using the equation: =

.

Given:
= 30.8
= 19.5

| |
100%

(+)

Sample Computation for Sample 1

30.8
30.8 19.5

Percent Error

in

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Sample Computation for Sample 1

Given:
= 30.8
= 19.5
= 21.3
=
= 30.8 21.3
= 11.5


30.8 21.3
=
30.8 19.5
=

(+)

the cork was determined to be 0.1966.

TABLE D. Determining the Specific Gravity of
Solid Lighter than Water

= 0.8407
=

| |
100%

|1 0.8407|
=
100%
1
= 15.9292%
For the third table, the specific gravity of water
and alcohol were obtained by getting the
measurements using the hydrometer.
The
percent error we got are 5% for water and
5.8302% for the Denatured Alcohol. It was odd at
first because we know that the specific gravity of
water should be equal to 1. We believed that the
water might have been contaminated already.
TABLE C. Determining the Specific Gravity of
an Unknown Liquid Using Hydrometer
Sample 1

Sample 2

Specific Gravity

0.95

0.835

Name of Sample

Water

Denatured
Alcohol

Percent Error

5%

5.8302%

Sample Computation for Sample 1

= 0.95
=

| |
100%

|1 0.95|
100%
1

= 5%

For materials lighter than water, it is difficult to

determine its specific gravity using Archimedes
principle since the object will just float in water. In
order to do this, a sinker was used. For the last
table, the cork is the material mainly observed.
The weight of the cork in the electronic balance is
2.3g. When the sinker is submerged in water while
the cork is hanging above the water, the weight is
45.2g. When both the sinker and the cork were
submerged into the water the weight is 33.5g. The
specific gravity was computed using the

formula: =
.The specific gravity of

Name of sample: CORK

weight of cork in air,
Weight of cork in air and sinker in
water,
Weight of both sinker and cork in
in water, (+)
Specific Gravity,

=
(+)

2.3g
45.2g
33.5g
0.1966

Sample Computation:
Given:
= 2.3
= 45.2
(+) = 33.5
=

(+)

2.3
45.2 33.5

= 0.1966
DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION
In this experiment, we determined the density and
specific gravity of solids and liquids following
Archimedes principle. Density and specific gravity
of materials are unique on each object that makes
it as a tool in the identification of the material.
Density is equal to mass over volume. While,
specific gravity on the other hand is the ratio of
the density of the material with the density of the
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reference liquid which is commonly water. When

an object is immersed in liquid, there is a resistant
force present in water pushing up the object. This
is called the buoyant force and it is the reason why
the weight of an object lessens. Furthermore, the
buoyant force is also the weight of the liquid
displaced by the object. Additionally, the loss of
weight in liquid is equivalent to the magnitude of
the buoyant force.
In the first part of the experiment, we have
computed for the specific gravity of unidentified
solid samples such as metals that are heavier than
water. The unknown solid samples are aluminum
and brass. Based on our data, the solid sample
which has greater weight has a greater specific
gravity. The idea of specific gravity of an object
tells us that it is the number of times an object is
denser than water. From our data, brass has
greater weight than aluminum, thus tells us that it
has a greater specific gravity than aluminum too.
The mass of brass is greater than the mass of
aluminum but the aluminum can displace greater
amount of water compared to brass. It is just
because brass is denser than aluminum.
In the second part of experiment, the two
unknown liquid samples were revealed. The
weight of the sample metal in air is greater than
the weight of the sample metal in water. The
science behind it is the buoyant force in
Archimedes principle. It can be comprehended in
the table the contrast of the loss of weight among
the two liquids. Alcohol loss less weight than
water. It means alcohol is more buoyant and
denser than water.
In the third part of the experiment, it only verifies
the results we have obtained from the second part
of the experiment. It shows us that when an
apparatus like the hydrometer which is used to
measure the specific gravity of liquids, we can
check if the results we have from the second part
of the experiment is correct. The specific gravity
of alcohol is less than water, which proves that it
is denser than water.
In the last part of the experiment, materials lighter
than water will totally float on water and it is
difficult to submerge and determination of its
specific gravity is a little bit hard thats why a
sinker was used during this portion of experiment.
Using Archimedes principle loss of weight of cork
is simply the buoyant force exerted by the water
to the cork.

In conclusion, when the loss of weight in liquid

increases, expecting that the specific gravity also
increases. It means when the liquid is more
buoyant, the liquid is denser. This density is the
force that rise up the object that is being or totally
immersed that makes the objects weight smaller.
The possible source of error for the performed
experiment is the inconsistency of the electronic
balance since sometimes it wont turn on maybe
because of the poor battery and when the
measuring the same material for another try, it
shows a different reading. It is better to make
sure that the electronic balance is in a good
working condition. The next possible source of
error for the experiment that we have experienced
is the impurity of the liquid sample. The liquids
might have been contaminated already.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT & REFERENCE
I would like to thank my groupmates for being so
cooperative upon doing the experiment. I
appreciate all of their efforts since without their
help, our experiment will have a great chance of
failure. I also thank my group mates for making
every experiment filled with humor, since we find
some parts of the experiment difficult to execute,
they are still composed and not pressured because
of time. Thank you for making my physics
laboratory class happy and while learning. I would
also like to thank our professor, Prof. Ricardo F.
De Leon, Jr. for guiding all throughout the
experiment and always giving us plus points. I also
would like to acknowledge the lab assistants for
reminding us how to handle the materials and
equipment and telling us about the important
things to remember when conducting the
experiment and for also being approachable when
we ask for a piece of string. Lastly, I would like to
thank my family for supporting me in my studies
as I pursue my degree in Mapa.
References:
General Physics 2 Laboratory Manual, Mapa
Institute of Technology, Manila: Department of
Physics.
Walker, J., Halliday, D., & Resnick, R. (2014).
Principles of Physics. 10th Edition. 395-397.
Buoyancy.

Retrieved

(September2015) .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buoyancy
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Osbourne, J. Archimedes Principle, Retrieved

(September 2015).
http://www.brightstorm.com/science/physics/osc
illatory-motion/archimedes-principle
Srinivas, A. Archimedes Principle and Battery
Indicators,
Retrieved
(September
2015).
http://www.physics247.com/physicstutorial/archimedes-principle.shtml

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