3B Scientific Device for Archimedes' Principle User Manual
Page 2

3B Scientific GmbH • Rudorffweg 8 • 21031 Hamburg • Germany •
www.3bscientific.com
Technical amendments are possible
© Copyright 2008 3B Scientific GmbH
3. Technical data
VoIume of cylinder:
approx. 100 cm
3
Mass of cylinder:
approx. 120 g
Volume of bucket:
approx. 100 ml
Dimensions:
approx. 55x55x 55 mm
3
Net weight:
approx. 150 g
 
 
4. Operation
4.1 Verification of Archimedes' Principle
Additionally required:
1 Dynamometer 250 g / 2,5 N
U40810
1 Vessel with overflow
U8411310
1 Beaker
from U14210
1 Stand base
U8611160
1 Steel rod, 750 mm
U15003
1 Clamp with hook
U13252
4.1.1 Experiment 1
•
Set up the stand and suspend the dynamome-
ter from the hook. 
•
Insert the cylinder in the bucket to verify that 
the volume of the cylinder is equal to the vol-
ume of the cylindrical cavity of the bucket. 
•
Attach the cylinder to the bucket and suspend 
both from the dynamometer. 
•
Read and write down the weight.
•
Fill the beaker with water and place it under 
the cylinder. 
•
Lower the dynamometer until the cylinder is 
immersed in the water up to the first division 
mark. 
•
Read the new value for the weight.
•
Fill the bucket with water to the first division 
mark. 
The dynamometer shows the initial value.
•
In further steps lower the cylinder up to the 
second division mark, than third and finally 
until it is completely immersed in the water. 
With each step pour the corresponding amount 
of water into the bucket 
Thus Archimedes' Principle is confirmed.
4.1.2 Experiment 2
•
Set up the stand and suspend the dynamome-
ter from the hook. 
•
Attach the cylinder to the bucket and suspend 
both from the dynamometer. 
•
Read and write down the weight.
•
Fill the vessel with overflow to such an extent 
with water that it just stops to overflow. 
•
Place the beaker next to the vessel with over-
flow so that the overflowing water can be col-
lected. 
•
Lower the dynamometer until the cylinder is 
completely immersed in the water. Collect the 
overflowing water in the beaker. 
•
Read the new value on the dynamometer.
The difference between the two readings is the 
buoyant force F
B
on the cylinder.
•
Carefully pour the water from the beaker into 
the bucket. Make sure no water is left in the 
beaker. 
The dynamometer displays the initial value. Thus 
Archimedes' Principle is confirmed. 
4.2 Determination of the density of an un-
known fluid
Additionally required:
1 Ruler
•
Use the ruler to measure the diameter d and 
height h of the cylinder and calculate its vol-
ume (V = ¼ 
π d
2
h).
•
Determine the buoyant force F
A
(ref. to point
4.1.2) with the unknown fluid in place of wa-
ter. 
•
Use formula 4 to determine the density of the 
unknown fluid. 
Fig. 1 Experimental set-up
