What principle explains buoyancy?

Prepare for the DIVE Integrated Chemistry and Physics Quarterly Exam 3. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations to guide your learning. Excel in your exam!

Buoyancy is explained by Archimedes' principle, which states that an object submerged in a fluid experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. This principle highlights that this upward force, known as buoyant force, is what allows objects to float or rise in a fluid.

When an object is placed in a fluid, it displaces a volume of fluid equal to its submerged volume. If the weight of the displaced fluid is greater than the weight of the object, the object will rise; if it is less, the object will sink. Archimedes' principle provides a clear method for determining whether an object will float or sink based on its density relative to the fluid's density.

In contrast, Bernoulli's principle is related to the behavior of fluid flow and pressure variations, while Pascal's principle deals with the transmission of pressure in fluids. Newton's law of motion pertains to the relationship between an object's motion and the forces acting on it, but it does not address buoyancy in the context of fluid displacement.

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