what is f of g...?

Question

the formula is magnitude of buoyant force = weight of fluid displaced
or F of b = f of g times m
What is f of g?

Answer 1

Forget about all of that nonsense.

Here's what you really need to understand.

The bouyant force is equal to the product of three things...

1) The density of the liquid, p
2) How much of the object is submerged, Vsub
3) gravity, g

Fb = p * Vsub * g

If we have an object floating in water, then there are only two forces acting... the bouyant force and gravity. So they must equal each other....

Fb = W
p * Vsub * g = m * g


A little extra ---

p * Vsub = m

So, if we know the density of the liquid and the mass of the object, we can find how much of the object will be submerged when we place it in the liquid.

That's how we know 90% of ice is submerged when in water! No wonder the Titanic didn't have a chance :)

Answer 2

"f of g times m" means a force of (i.e., equal to) g*m (gravitational acceleration * mass).

Answer 3

force of gravity