Experiment 5

Specific Gravity by Archimedes Principle

Objective:

The activity aims to determine the specific gravity of fluid using Archimedes Principle.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

At the end of the activity the students shall be able to:

1. Discuss the concept of Archimedes principle.
2. Demonstrate the proper use of hydrometer.
3. Identify the correct measurement of the specific gravity of a fluid using hydrometer.

Discussion:

Buoyancy is an upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an immersed object. In
a column of fluid, pressure increases with depth as a result of the weight of the overlying fluid. Thus a
column of fluid, or an object submerged in the fluid, experiences greater pressure at the bottom of the
column than at the top. This difference in pressure results in a net force that tends to accelerate an object
upwards. The magnitude of that force is proportional to the difference in the pressure between the top and
the bottom of the column, and (as explained by Archimedes' principle) is also equivalent to the weight of the
fluid that would otherwise occupy the column, i.e. the displaced fluid.

For this reason, an object whose density is greater than that of the fluid in which it is submerged
tends to sink. If the object is either less dense than the liquid or is shaped appropriately (as in a boat), the
force can keep the object afloat. This can occur only in a reference frame which either has a gravitational
field or is accelerating due to a force other than gravity defining a "downward" direction (that is, a non-
inertial reference frame). In a situation of fluid statics, the net upward buoyancy force is equal to the
magnitude of the weight of fluid displaced by the body.

Operation of the hydrometer is based on “Archimedes Principle” that a solid suspended in a fluid
will be buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the submerged part of the suspended
solid. Thus, the lower the density of the substance, the farther the hydrometer will sink.

𝐹𝑏 = 𝛾𝑓 𝑉𝑠

Where,
 Fb = Buoyant Force

Yf = specific weight of fluid

Vs = Volume submerged

Resources / Instruments Required:

 Graduated Cylinder
 Hydrometer
 Liquids

1. Procedure:

1. Pour an amount of liquid into the graduated cylinder.

2. Place the graduated cylinder on a level surface.
3. Gently lower the hydrometer into the graduated cylinder. If there are bubbles clinging to the
hydrometer, flick it to knock them off. If this does not get rid of the bubbles, remove the
hydrometer and lower it again. Bubbles throw off the hydrometer reading.
4. Move the hydrometer to the middle of the graduated cylinder so it is floating freely and not
attached to the sides.
5. Take the measurement at the lowest point of the curved surface of the liquid.

Group No: 3 Section: CE41FB1

Date Performed: July 25, 2017 Date Submitted: August 1, 2017
Group Members: Instructor: Engr. Jennifer Camino
Gonzales, Wilmar
Garcia, Louie Guyala, Reynard
Gonzales, Kennedy Reyes, John Paul

2. Data and Results:

LIQUID SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Water 1

Soy Sauce 1.14

Vinegar 0.9

Oil 0.8
 3. Observation:

In this experiment, we were able to know the uses and the importance of the hydrometer in getting the specific
gravity for a certain liquid. While we are performing our experiment, we observed that using the hydrometer
we can easily get the specific gravity of the fluids inside the graduated cylinder and prove that different liquids
has different specific gravity.

4. Analysis:

|1.0−1.0|
%𝐸𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = × 100 = 𝟎%
1.0

|1.125−1.14|
%𝐸𝑆𝑜𝑦 𝑆𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑒 = × 100 = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟐 %
1.14

|1.006−0.9|
%𝐸𝑉𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑟 = × 100 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟕𝟖%
0.9

|0.9250−0.8|
%𝐸𝑂𝑖𝑙 = × 100 = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟔𝟑 %
0.8

The sources for these errors are the human error, error in the apparatus and the apparatus
that has been almost cleaned. The human error is a source of error because the equipment is not
digital and we need to use our eyes in order for us to get the specific gravity of the fluids. The almost
cleaned apparatus is a source of error because when the next liquid will be used and poured in the
graduated cylinder we couldn’t remove the water or fluids in time.

5. Conclusion:

After this experiment, we came to a conclusion that a solid suspended in a fluid will be
buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by a submerged part of the suspended
solid based on Archimedes’ Principle. We conclude that we were able to use and know that
hydrometer is one of the major tools used in getting the specific gravity of a certain fluids.
Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

CRITERIA BEGINNER ACCEPTABLE PROFICIENT SCORE

1 2 3

I. Laboratory Skills
Manipulative Members do not demonstrate Members always demonstrate
Members occasionally
needed skills. demonstrate needed skills. needed skills.
Skills

Members are able to set-up the

Experimental Members are unable to set-up Members are able to set-up the
material with minimum
Set-up the materials. materials with supervision.
supervision.

Members do not demonstrate
Process Skills
targeted process skills.
Members occasionally
Members always demonstrate
demonstrate targeted process
targeted process skills.
skills.

Safety Members follow safety Members follow safety

Members do not follow safety
Precautions precautions. precautions most of the time. precautions at all times.

II. Work Habits

Time
Members finish ahead of time
Management / Members do not finish on time Members finish on time with
with complete data and time to
Conduct of with incomplete data. incomplete data.
revise data.
Experiment

Members do not know their Members are on tasks and

tasks and have no defined
Cooperative and
responsibilities. Group conflicts
Teamwork
have to be settled by the
teacher.
Members have defined
have defined responsibilities at
responsibilities most of the time.
all times. Group conflicts are
Group conflicts are cooperatively
cooperatively managed at all
managed most of the time.
times.

Clean and orderly workplace with Clean and orderly workplace at

Neatness and Messy workplace during and
occasional mess during and after all times during and after the
Orderliness after the experiment.
the experiment. experiment.

Ability to do
Members require occasional Members do not need to be
independent Members require supervision by
the teacher. supervision by the teacher. supervised by the teacher.
work

Other Comments / Observations:

TOTAL SCORE
RATING = ( TotalScore ) x 100%
24
Questions and Problems:

1. A rectangular solid piece of wood 30 cm2 and 5 cm thick floats in water to a depth of 3.25 cm. How heavy an
object must be placed on the wood (s=0.50) in such a way that it will just be submerged?
Finding the weight of an object:
𝑉𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝑊
𝑆=𝑉 𝛾=
𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑉

𝑉𝑠𝑢𝑏 KN W
0.50 = 𝐾𝑁 4.905 =
9.81 3 m3 (0.030)(0.050)
𝑚

Vsub = 4.905 KN / m3 W = 7.3575 x 10-3 KN

2. The specific gravity of rock used as concrete aggregate is often desirable to know. If a rock weighed 6.50 N
in the air and 3.80 N submerged in water, what would be the specific gravity of the rock?
𝑊𝑎𝑖𝑟 − 𝑊𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝐵𝐹 𝑉 = 2.752 × 10−4 𝑚3

𝐵𝐹 = 6.5 − 3.80 𝑊
𝛾𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑘 = (𝑆𝑝. 𝐺𝑟)(𝛾𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ) =
𝑉
𝐵𝐹 = 2.7 𝑁
6.5 𝑁
(𝑆𝑝. 𝐺𝑟)(9810𝑁) =
𝐵𝐹 = 𝛾𝑉 2.752 × 10−4 𝑚3
2.7 = (9.81)(1000)(𝑉) 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝟐. 𝟒𝟏

3. A piece of wood weighs 17.80 N in air and a piece of metal weighs 14.80 N in water. Together the two weighs
13.35 N in water. What is the specific gravity of the wood?
𝑊𝑤𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 17.80 𝑁 𝐵𝐹 = 𝛾𝑉

𝑊𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 14.80 𝑁 16.35 = 9810𝑉

Total Buoyant Force = 13.35 N 𝑉 = 1.667 × 10−3 𝑚3

𝑊𝑤𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 + 𝑊𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 13.35 𝑊

𝛾𝑤𝑜𝑜𝑑 = (𝑆𝑝. 𝐺𝑟)(𝛾𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ) =
𝑉
𝑊𝑤𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 13.35 − 14.80
17.80 𝑁
𝑊𝑤𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 1.45 𝑁 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 (𝑆𝑝. 𝐺𝑟)(9810𝑁) =
1.667 × 10−3 𝑚3
𝐵𝐹 = 𝑊𝑤𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑖𝑟 − 𝑊𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟗

𝐵𝐹 = 17.80 − 1.45 = 16.35 𝑁

4. How does buoyant force vary with the depth of submerged fluid? Why?

No, the buoyant force does not change with depth. The reason is that the buoyant force is
in fact due to the difference in pressure above and below an object. The bottom of the object i.e. the
part which is at a greater depth, will also feel a greater pressure, and so the difference in pressure
causes an upward force on the object called the buoyant force. But this difference in pressure never
changes, because the size of the object does not change.
TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES
983 AURORA BOULEVARD CUBAO, QUEZON CITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

COLLEGE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CE 402

FLUID MECHANICS

Experiment # 5

Specific Gravity by Archimedes Principle

SUBMITTED BY:

Garcia, Louie
Gonzales, Kennedy
Gonzales, Wilmar
Guyala, Reynard
Reyes, John Paul

SUBMITTED TO:

ENGR. JENNIFER CAMINO

August 1, 2017