Science teaching festival
21 - 25 November 2005
CERN, Geneva

Buoyant Force vs. Surface Tension Forces

A device made of cork with a circular loop made of wire can float in water in two positions.

A device made of cork with a circular loop made of wire can float in water in two positions:
1. With the loop above the water surface.
2. After sinking it floats in such a way that the circular loop is in the surface.

Physical interpretation:
1. Equilibrium of the device is a result of equilibrium of gravitational force and Archimedes buoyant force.
2. Equilibrium of the device is a result of equilibrium of previously mentioned forces and surface tension force of water, which acts on the loop made of wire.

Contact:

Marek Lipinski

Institute:

I Liceum Ogolnoksztalcace, Tarnow, Poland

E-mail:

Web: