Upthrust
Higher Tier Only
- Upthrust is a force that pushes upwards on an object submerged in a fluid i.e. liquids and gases
- It is always in the opposite direction to the object's weight
- This is why boats, and objects that are less dense than water, float
- The size of the upthrust depends on the density of the fluid as well as the volume of fluid that is displaced (which is equal to the volume of the object)
- The denser the liquid, the greater the upthrust it will exert on an object
Upthrust is in the opposite direction to the weight of the boat and the fisherman
- Upthrust is due to the difference in pressure between the top and the bottom of the submerged object
- A partially (or totally) submerged object experiences a greater pressure on the bottom surface than on the top surface
- This is because the pressure p is proportional to the depth h of the object
- The difference in pressure creates a resultant force upwards (upthrust)
- Upthrust is why objects appear to weigh less when immersed in a liquid
Upthrust is due to the different pressure at the top and bottom of this cylinder