Chapter

2
Fluid
1.0 INTRODUCTION TO FLUIDS
2.0 DENSITY
2.1 Relative Density (or Specific Gravity)
3.0 THRUST AND PRESSURE
3.1 Thrust
3.2 Pressure
3.3 Atmospheric Pressure
4.0 PRESSURE EXERTED BY LIQUID COLUMN
4.1 Pascal's Law
4.2 Absolute Pressure And Gauge Pressure
5.0 BUOYANCY AND ARCHIMEDE'S PRINCIPLE
5.1 Buoyancy
5.2 Archimedes' principle
6.0 APPARENT WEIGHT
6.1 Sinking And Floating
Unit t wo

EXERCISE 1 (ELEMENTARY)

EXERCISE 2 (SEASONED)

EXERCISE 3 (CBSE PATTERN)

EXERCISE-4 (COMPETITIVE ASSESSMENT)
ll
 Fluid

FLUID (FLD)
(FLD–1)

1.0 INTRODUCTION TO FLUIDS

Fluids are the substances that can flow. Therefore liquids and gases both are fluids.
Study of a fluid at rest is called fluid statics or hydrostatics and the study of fluid in motion is called
fluid dynamics of hydrodynamics. Both combined are called fluid mechanics.
The intermolecular forces in liquids are comparatively weaker than in solids. Therefore, their shape
can be changed easily. Thus liquids assume the shape of the container. But their volume (or density)
cannot be changed so easily. Liquids are incompressible and have free surface of their own.
The intermolecular forces are weakest in gases, so their shape and size can be changed easily.
Gases are compressible and occupy all the space of the container.

2.0 DENSITY (r)

The density r of a substance is defined as its mass per unit volume.

m
r=
V
where m is the mass of a sample and V is its volume.
Note :
(i) Density is a characteristic property of a solid or a liquid. This means for a given solid
(or liquid), its density remains constant whatever be its size or mass.
(ii) Density of a gas is not a constant, it is variable. It depends on temperature, pressure and
volume.

l Unit of density
S.I. unit : kg/m3 or kg m–3.
C.G.S. unit : g/cm3 or g cm–3.
e.g. The density of water is 1000 kg m–3 or 1 g cm–3.

2.1 Relative Density Or Specific Gravity

The relative density of a substance is the ratio of its density to the density of water. It is also
called ‘specific gravity’.
Relative density is given by,

density of given liquid r

R.D = o = r
density of pure water at 4 C w

Note :
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(i) Relative density has no unit (unit less quantity) as it is a ratio of physical quantities having
same units.
(ii) A hydrometer is an instrument that measures the relative density or density of a liquid.
(iii) Lactometer is a specially designed hydrometer used to measure the relative density of milk
and hence testing it purity.

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Class IX : Physics

Illustration 1. Relative density of silver is 10.8. The density of water is 103 kg m–3. What is the density
of silver in SI unit ?
Solution. Given, relative density of silver, R.D. = 10.8 ;
density of water, rw = 103 kg m–3
density of silver, r = ?
Density of silver r
Now, R.D. = = or r = R.D. × rw
Density of water rw
or r = 10.8 × 103 kg m–3

Objective Questions

1. If two liquids of same masses but densities r1 & r2 respectively are mixed, then density of mixture
is given by :
r1 + r 2 r1 + r 2 2r1r2 r1r 2
(A) r = (B) r = 2r r (C) r = (D) r =
2 1 2 r1 + r 2 r1 + r 2

2. If two liquids of same volume but different densities r1 and r2 are mixed, then density of mixture
is given by :
r1 + r 2 r1 + r 2 2r1r2 r1r 2
(A) r = (B) r = 2r r (C) r = r + r (D) r = r + r
2 1 2 1 2 1 2

3. S.I unit of relative density is :

(A) kg/m3 (B) g/cm3 (C) kg/cm3 (D) It is unit less

4. Relative density of certain fluid is 2.2 then :

(A) its density is 2200 kg/m3 or 2.2 g/cm3 (B) its density is 2.2 kg/m3 or 2200 g/cm3
(C) its density is 2200 kg/m3 or 2200 g/cm3 (D) its density is 2.2 kg/m3 or 2.2 g/cm3

5. An instrument that measures the relative density or density of a liquid is :

(A) Barometer (B) Anemometer (C) Hydrometer (D) Manometer

Subjective Questions

6. Define fluid.

7. Define density of a fluid and give its S.I. unit.

19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

8. Define relative density of a fluid and discuss about its unit.

9. Write down the relation between S.I. unit and C.G.S. unit of density of a substance.

10. What is the purpose of lactometer ? Explain.

36
 Fluid

FLUID
(FLD–2)

3.0 THRUST AND PRESSURE

3.1 Thrust
The force acting on an object perpendicular to the surface is called thrust.

l Unit of thrust
The unit of thrust is the same as that of force. Thus, the SI unit of thrust is newton (N).
In common use, thrust is also expressed in the unit of gram-weight (g-wt) or kilogram-weight
(kg-wt).
1 kg-wt = 9.8 N

3.2 Pressure
If a uniform force is exerted normal to an area (A), then pressure (P) is defined as the normal force
(F) per unit area or the thrust on unit area is called pressure.

Thrust Force
Pressure = =
Area Area
Note: (i) Pressure is a scalar quantity. Always remember it is the component of the force normal
(perpendicular) to the area under consideration for calculating pressure, not the force vector.

l Unit of pressure
S.I. unit - In honour of scientist Blaise Pascal, the SI unit of pressure is called "pascal", denoted as
Pa.
1 Pascal = 1 Newton/(meter)2
or, 1 Pa = 1 N/m2 = 1 N m–2
Practical units or other units of pressure : Atmospheric pressure (atm), bar and torr
1 atm = 1.01325×105 Pa = 1.01325 bar = 760 torr = 10.33 m of water
1 bar = 105 Pa
1 torr = pressure exerted by 1 mm of mercury column = 133 Pa.
Another common unit of pressure is pounds/inch2 (lb/in.2), also called ‘psi’. We are accustomed
to the ‘30 – 35 psi’ pressure within our car’s tyres.
1 atm = 14.7 psi ; 1 psi » 6895 Pa

Note: (i) Blood pressure in human body is measured in ‘mm of Hg’. Pressure of flowing blood in
major arteries is approx. 120 mm of Hg, when heart is contracted to its smallest size
(systolic pressure). When the heart expands to its largest size, the pressure is about 80 mm of Hg
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

(diastolic pressure).Blood pressure is measured with a sphygmomanometer

l Definition of 1 pascal
If 1 newton force acts perpendicular to a surface of area 1 m2, then the pressure acting on the surface is
1 pascal.

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Class IX : Physics

3.3 Atmospheric Pressure up to top of

Force exerted by air column on unit cross-section area of sea level is atmosphere
called atmospheric pressure (Po) air 2
column area=1m
sea
F level
Po = = 101.3 kN/m2
A
\ Po = 1.013 × 105 N/m2 Fig. 1

Note :
(i) Mercury Barometer is used to measure atmospheric pressure. It was discovered by Torricelli.
(ii) Atmospheric pressure varies from place to place and at a particular place from time to time.
(iii) As you go higher in the atmosphere, the height of air column above you decreases. Thus,
the weight of air above you decreases. Hence, Air pressure decreases with higher altitude.

Illustration 1. A block of wood is kept on a tabletop. The mass of wooden block is 5 kg and its dimensions
are 40 cm × 20 cm × 10 cm. Find the pressure exerted by the wooden block on the
table top if it is made to lie on the table top with its sides of dimensions
(a) 20 cm × 10 cm and (b) 40 cm × 20 cm (see fig., take g = 9.8 m/s2).
40 cm

10 cm
20
cm

cm 4 0 cm
2 0 cm 10 (b)
(a )
Fig. 2
Solution. Given, mass of the wooden block, m = 5 kg
Thrust, F = weight of the wooden block = m × g = 5 × 9.8 = 49 N
(a) Area, A = 20 cm × 10 cm = 200 cm2 = 200 × 10–4 m2 = 0.02 m2
F 49
Now, pressure, P = = = 2450 N m–2
A 0.02
(b) Area, A = 40 cm × 20 cm = 800 cm2 = 800 × 10–4 m2 = 0.08 m2
F 49
Now, pressure, P = = = 612.5 N m–2
A 0.08
Thus, the pressure exerted by the face 20 cm × 10 cm is 2450 N m –2 and by the face
40 cm × 20 cm is 612.5 N m–2.
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

Illustration 2. Explain why, wooden sleepers are kept below the railway tracks ?
Solution Wooden sleepers (or concrete sleepers) are kept below the railway tracks so that there
is less pressure of the train on ground and railway line may not sink into the ground.

38
 Fluid

Objective Questions

1. 1 Pascal is :
(A) 1 N/m (B) 1 m/N (C) 1 kg m–1 s–1 (D) 1 kg m–1 s–2

2. A rectangular box is kept over a table with different faces touching the table. In different cases, the
block exerts:
(A) same thrust and same pressure (B) same thrust and different pressure
(C) different thrust and same pressure (D) different thrust and different pressure

3. S.I. unit of thrust is :

(A) Newton (B) Newton×metre (C) Newton/metre (D) None of these

4. Atmospheric pressure at sea level is equal to :

(A) 1.013 × 105 N/m2 (B) 760 torr (C) 760 mm of Hg (D) All of these

5. Choose the correct statement :

(A) Force is a scalar quantity while pressure is a vector quantity.
(B) Force is a vector quantity while pressure is a scalar quantity.
(C) Force and pressure both are scalar quantities
(D) Force and pressure both are vector quantities

Subjective Questions

6. Define thrust and give its S.I. unit.

7. Define pressure and give its S.I. unit.

8. Define atmospheric pressure and give its value at sea level in S.I. unit.

9. Write three different units of pressure and give relation between them.

10. Explain for what purpose we use following instruments :

(A) Sphygmomanometer (B) Barometer
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

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Class IX : Physics

FLUID
(FLD–3)

4.0 PRESSURE EXERTED BY A LIQUID COLUMN

Fluids can exert pressure on the base and walls of the container in which they are enclosed known
as fluid pressure. Consider a liquid of density r contained in a cylindrical vessel of cross sectional
area a. Let h be the height of liquid column and g be the acceleration due to gravity. The weight of
liquid will exert a downward thrust on the bottom surface of the vessel. Therefore, pressure due to
liquid acts on that surface.

Weight of liquid inside the vessel = mass of liquid × acc. due to gravity
(Q mass = volume × density)

Weight of liquid inside the vessel = volume × density of liquid × acc. due to gravity
=ah×r×g -------------
-------------
Thrust of liquid on area “a” = weight of liquid = a h r g -------------
-------------
-------------
-------------
-------------
Liquid pressure on the base of vessel is h -------------
-------------
-------------
-------------
thrust ahrg -------------
P= = -------------
area a
P =h.r.g
a

4.1 Pascal’s Law Fig. 3

The French scientist Blaise Pascal observed that ‘the pressure in a fluid at rest is the same at all
points if they are at the same height’.

l Some important points related to fluid pressure

(1) Fluid pressure acts in all directions, not just the direction of the applied force. When you inflate
a car tire, you are increasing the pressure in the tire. This force acts up, down, and sideways in
all directions inside the tire.
(2) The fluid pressure at any point on the object is perpendicular to the surface of the object at that
point (see fig.).
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

Fig.4 Fluid pressure acts perpendicular to the surface of the object

(3) The pressure depends only on the height of the column of fluid above the surface you
measure the pressure. It does not depend on the area of the surface in contact or the shape of
the liquid column. The greater the height of the column of fluid above a surface, the greater the
pressure exerted by the fluid on the surface.

40
 Fluid

Hydrostatic paradox

Fig. 5

Pressure depends only on the height of the fluid above a surface, not on the shape of the vessel.
Pressure at the bottom of each section of the vessel (as shown in fig.) is same (called hydrostatic
paradox).

p1
Increasing
h pressure
p2

Fig. 6 Variation of pressure with depth

(4) Pressure applied to any part of an enclosed fluid at rest is transmitted in all directions equally to
every portion of fluid and the walls of the containing vessel. This is an another statement of
Pascal’s law and this property is used in hydraulic press, hydraulic lift (see fig.), hydraulic
brakes in cars, trucks.

F1
P A1 Q A2

F2

V
Fig. 7 Principle of hydraulic lift or press
F1
Pressure applied = A
1

F2
\ Pressure transmitted = A
2

F1 F2
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

Q Pressures A = A
1 2

F1 A2
\ Upward force on A2 is, F2 = A ×A2 = A × F1
1 1

Since, A2 > > A1, F2 > > F 1

Note - The pressure is the same on both sides of the enclosed fluid, allowing a small force to lift
a heavy object.

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Class IX : Physics

4.2 Absolute pressure & Gauge Pressure

When pressure is measured above zero pascal (absolute zero or complete vacuum), it is called
absolute pressure
and when the pressure is measured above the atmospheric pressure, it is called gauge pressure.
Pabsolute = Patm + Pg

Illustration 1. Explain why, buildings and dams have wider foundation?

1
Solution. Since pressure, P µ , therefore, buildings and dams have wide foundations so
A
that the weight of the building or dam produces less pressure on the ground and
building or dam may not sink into the ground.
And in case of fluids, pressure exerted by it increases with depth so to bear high
pressure dams have wider foundation

Illustration 2. A rectangular container of dimensions 50 cm × 30 cm × 100 cm is filled completely

with water. Determine
(1) the thrust at the bottom of the vessel.
(2) the pressure at a depth of 10 cm from the free surface and
(3) the force experienced by a metal sheet held vertically at a depth of 10 cm.
Solution. (1) Volume of the container = l × b × h

50 30 100
= m´ m´ m
100 100 100
= 0.15 m 3
Thrust at the bottom of the container
= weight of water in the container
= mg = volume × density × g
= 0.15 m 3 × 103 kg m3 × 10 m s –2
= 0.15 × 10 4 N
(2) Pressure at a point inside a liquid is given by,
P = hdg

10
= ´ 1000 ´ 10 = 1000 N m -2
100
(3) The net force acting on the metal sheet will be zero because the lateral thrust
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

exerted by the water on each face of the sheet is equal and opposite.

42
 Fluid

Objective Questions
1. Two vessels A and B have the same base area and contain water to the same height, but the mass
of water in A is four times that in B. The ratio of the liquid thrust at the base of A to that at the
base of B is :

H
A B

l l

(A) 4 : 1 (B) 2 : 1 (C) 1 : 1 (D) 16 : 1

2. A cylindrical container is filled with water upto the brim. If the pressure exerted by the water at
the bottom of the container is 1000 Pa the height of the container is _______ cm.
(take g = 10 m s–2)
(A) 10 (B) 100 (C) 1 (D) 20

3. In a hydraulic machine a force of 0.6 N acts normally on the smaller piston of area 0.2 m2. The
force that acts on the larger piston whose area is 200 m2 will be :
(A) 60 gf (B) 60 kg wt (C) 600 kgf (D) 60 N

4. The approximate height of mercury which exerts the same pressure at its base as 20 cm of water
column, is (rw = 1 g/cc & rHg = 13.6 g/cc) :
(A) 3 cm (B) 1.49 cm (C) 148 cm (D) 13.6 cm

5. Pressure at a point inside a liquid does not depend on :

(A) The depth of the point below the surface of the liquid
(B) The nature of the liquid
(C) The acceleration due to gravity at that point
(D) The shape of the containing vessel

Subjective Questions

6. Derive an expression for pressure exerted by a liquid column at its base.

7. What is Pascal's law, explain.

19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

8. Explain the working of hydraulic lift.

9. Write important factors on which pressure exerted by a liquid column depends.

10. Differentiate Absolute pressure & Gauge Pressure.

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Class IX : Physics

FLUID
(FLD–4)

5.0 BUOYANCY AND ARCHIMEDE'S PRINCIPLE

5.1 Buoyancy
If a body is partially or wholly immersed in a fluid, it experiences an upward force due to the fluid
surrounding it. This phenomenon of force exerted by fluid on the body is called buoyancy and force
is called buoyant force or upthrust.
Note: A buoyant force acts on all objects that are placed in a fluid, whether they are floating or
sinking.

ACTIVE PHYSICS
1. Take an empty plastic bottle. Close the mouth of the bottle with an airtight stopper. Put it in a
bucket filled with water. You see that the bottle floats [see fig.(a)].
2. Now, push the bottle into the water. You feel an upward push [see fig.(b)]. Try to push it further
down. You will find it difficult to push deeper and deeper. This indicates that water exerts a
force on the bottle in the upward direction.
3. The upward force exerted by the water goes on increasing as the bottle is pushed deeper till it is
completely immersed [see fig.(c)]. Now, release the bottle. It bounces back to the surface.
Conclusion- An upward force (called 'buoyant force') acts on an object which is immersed partially
or completely in a liquid. This force increases when the volume of the object immersed in the liquid
increases and reaches a maximum value when the object is completely immersed in the liquid.

(a) (b) (c)

Fig.8 Active physics

5.2 Archimedes's Principle

It states that the buoyant force on a body that is partially or totally immersed in a liquid is equal to
the weight of the fluid displaced by it.
Now consider a body immersed in a liquid of density s .
F1
A h1 h2
Top surface of the body experiences a downward force
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

L
F1 = A.P1 = A[h1.s.g + P0] ...(i) A
F2
Lower face of the body will experiences a upward force
F2 = AP2 = A[h2.s.g + P0] ...(ii) Fig. 9
As h2 > h1 so F2 is greater than F1 so net upward force F = F2 – F1 = Asg[h2 – h1]
\ F = A.s.g.L. = V.s.g [Q V = AL]

44
 Fluid

Note:
(i) Buoyant force or up thrust does not depend upon the characteristics of the body such as its
mass, size, density, etc. But it depends upon the volume of the body inside the liquid.
Th µ Vin
(ii) It depends upon the nature of the fluid as it is proportional to the density of the fluid.
Th µ s
This is the reason that up thrust on a fully submerged body is more in sea water than in pure
water (Qssea > spure)
(iii)It depends upon the effective acceleration.
If a lift is accelerated downwards with acceleration a (a< g) then Th = Vin s (g – a)
If a lift is accelerated downwards with a = g then Th = Vin s (g – a) = 0
If a lift is accelerated upward with acceleration a then Th = Vin s (g + a)

ACTIVE PHYSICS
1. Take a container with a spout (see fig.) on the side of the container. Water is filled in the container
till the position of the spout. Thus, any rise in water level allows the water to flow out of the
container.
2. Now, take a brick tied with a thin and strong string or thread [see fig.(a)] . Now, immerse the
brick in the container by gradually lowering the string. As the brick sinks, the water level rises
and water flows through the spout into a smaller container [see fig.(b)]. The total volume of
water that collects in the smaller container is the displaced volume of water from the large
container. The displaced volume of water is equal to the volume of the portion of the brick that
is underwater.
3. Finally, immerse the brick completely in the container [see fig.(c)]. Now, the total volume of
water that collects in the smaller container is exactly equal to the total volume of the brick.
4. Now, measure the weight of the water present in the small container using a weighing machine
or a spring balance. This weight of the liquid displaced by the brick is equal to the buoyant force
exerted by the water on the brick.

(a) (b) (c)

Fig. 10 Active physics

Illustration 1. An iceberg is floating partially immersed in sea-water. The density of sea-water is

1.03 gm/cm3 and that of ice is 0.92 gm/cm3. What is the fraction of the total volume of
the iceberg above the level of sea-water ?
Solution. In case of floatation weight = up thrust i.e.
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

mg = Vinsg or Vrg = Vinsg [as r = m/V so m = rV]

r
or Vin = V
s
é rù Vout é rù
so Vout = V – Vin = V ê1 - ú or fout = = ê1 - ú
ë sû V ë sû
é 0.92 ù 0.11
= ê1 - = = 0.106 or fout = 10.6 %
ë 1.03 úû 1.03
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Class IX : Physics

Illustration 2. Explain why ship floats on the surface of the sea?

Solution. A ship floats on the surface of the sea because the volume of water displaced by the
ship is enough to have a weight equal to the weight of the ship. A ship is constructed in
a way so that the shape is hollow, to make the average density of the ship lesser than
the sea water. Therefore, the buoyant force acting on the ship is large enough to support
its weight.

Illustration 3. Explain how submarines floats and submerges itself in sea ?

Solution. A submarine has a large ballast tank, which is used to control its position and depth
from the surface of the sea. A submarine submerges by letting water into the ballast
tank so that its weight becomes greater than the buoyant force (and vice versa). It floats
by reducing water in the ballast tank, thus its weight is less than the buoyant force.

Illustration 4. If two equal weights of unequal volumes are balanced in air, what will happen when
these are completely dipped in water ?
Solution. The two equal weights of unequal volumes will get unbalanced when these are completely
dipped in water. This happens since unequal volumes displace unequal volumes of
water and hence experience unequal thrusts or unequal loss in weight.

Illustration 5. Why does a mug full of water appears lighter inside the water ?
Solution. When a mug of water is immersed inside water then a buoyant force acts in upward
direction. Due to this upward force mug of water appears to lose its weight and become
lighter inside the water.

19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

46
 Fluid

Objective Questions
1. A solid iron sphere of radius 1m and a solid iron cube of edge length 1m are immersed in a liquid.
Which of them will experience greater up thrust :
(A) Cube (B) Sphere
(C) Both will experience equal up thrust (D) None of these
2. Archimedes’s principle states that when a body is totally or partially immersed in a fluid the up
thrust acting on it is equal to :
(A) The weight of the fluid displaced (B) The weight of the body
(C) Volume of the fluid displaced (D) Volume of the body

3. Factor which affect buoyant force is/are :

(A) Volume of the body immersed in a fluid (B) Density of fluid
(C) Acceleration due to gravity at that place (D) All of these

4. The upward force acting on an object immersed in a liquid is called :

(A) Buoyant force (B) Up thrust
(C) Both (A) and (B) are correct (D) None of these

5. If temperature of a fluid is increased then in general buoyant force acting on a body immersed in it
(A) Increases (B) Decreases (C) Remain same (D) Cannot say

Subjective Questions

6. Define buoyancy and up thrust.

7. State Archimedes' principle.

8. What is the other name of buoyant force? In what direction does the buoyant force on an object
immersed in a liquid at rest act ?

9. Two solid blocks of identical size are submerged in water. One block is lead and other is aluminium.
Upon which is the buoyant force greater?

10. If a fish makes itself denser, it will sink; if it makes itself less dense, it will rise. In terms of buoyant
force, why is this so?
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

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Class IX : Physics

FLUID
(FLD–5)

6.0 APPARENT WEIGHT

Because of upward force acting on a body immersed in a fluid, either wholly or partially, there
occurs an apparent loss in weight of the body. The net weight of an object immersed in a fluid is
called ‘apparent weight’.
WApp = W – Th (W is the true weight of the body)
Decrease in weight = W – WApp = Th = Weight of the fluid displaced

Note:
(i) Using Archimedes's principle we can determine relative density (R D) of a body as

density of body wt. of body

R.D.= o
=
density of pure water at 4 C wt. of equal volume of water

wt. of body wt. of body

= =
thrust due to water loss of wt. in water

wt. of body in air

=
wt. in air - wt. in water

(ii) If a body is weighed in air (WA), in water (Ww) and in a liquid (WL),
loss of weight in oil WA - WL
then specific gravity of oil = =
loss of weight in water WA - WW

ACTIVE PHYSICS
1. Take a piece of stone and tie it to one end of a rubber string. Suspend the stone by holding the
string as shown in fig.(a). Note the elongation of the string due to the weight of the stone.
2. Now, slowly dip the stone in the water in a container as shown in fig.(b). You will find that the
elongation of the string decreases as the stone is gradually lowered in the water. But, no further
change is observed once the stone gets fully immersed in the water.

Conclusion- Since the extension decreases once the stone is lowered in water, it means that some
force acts on the stone in upward direction. As a result, the net force on the string decreases and
hence the elongation also decreases. This upward force exerted by water is called buoyant force or
force of buoyancy.
If W1 be the weight of an object in air and W2 be its weight (apparent weight) when it is completely
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

immersed in a liquid, then,

W2 = W 1 – F B
where, FB is the buoyant force acting on it.

or FB = W1 - W2

Thus, 'buoyant force is the loss of weight of an object when it is immersed in a liquid'.

48
 Fluid

Fig. 11

6.1 Sinking and Floating

When a body of density (r) and volume (V) is immersed in a liquid of density (s), the forces acting
on the body are -
(i) Weight of the body W = Mg = Vrg directed vertically downwards
(ii) Buoyant force or Up thrust Th = Vsg directed vertically upwards
The apparent weight W App is equal to W – Th. The following three cases are possible -

Case I Density of the body is greater than that of liquid (r > s)

In this case if, r>s then W > Th
So the body will sink to the bottom of the liquid.
\ WApp = W – Th = Vrg – Vsg = Vrg (1 – s/r) = W (1 – s/r).

Case II Density of the body is equal to the density of liquid (r = s)

In this case if, r=s then W = Th
So the body will float fully submerged in the liquid. It will be in neutral equilibrium.
\ WApp = W – Th = 0

Case III Density of the body is lesser than that of liquid (r < s)
In this case if r<s then W < Th
So the body will float partially submerged in the liquid. In this case the body will move
up and the volume of liquid displaced by the body (V in) will be less than the volume of
body (V). So as to make Th equal to W
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

\ WApp = W – Th = 0

The above three cases constitute the law of flotation which states that a body will float in a liquid
if weight of the liquid displaced by the immersed part of the body is at least equal to the weight of
the body.

49
Class IX : Physics

Illustration 1. A body weighs 160 g in air, 130 g in water and 136 g in oil. What is the specific gravity of
oil?
Solution Specific gravity of oil

loss of weight in oil

=
loss of weight in water

160 - 136 24 8
= = = = 0.8
160 - 130 30 10

Illustration 2. A boat is 4.0 m wide and 6.0 m long. When a heavy object is placed in it, the boat sinks
4.00 cm in the water. What is the weight of the object ? Take, density of water
= 1000 kg/m3.
Solution Length, l = 6 m;
width, b = 4 m;
depth, h = 4 cm = 0.04 m.
Volume of boat inside the water = volume of liquid displaced
or V = l × b × h = 6 × 4 × 0.04 = 0.96 m3
or Due to the weight of the object, the boat is further move down in water, thus an
extra buoyant force acts on the boat which must be equal to the weight of the object.
Thus, weight of the object,
W = Extra buoyant force acting on the object
= rwVg = 1000 × 0.96 × 9.8

Illustration 3. How does buoyant force on an object that is completely submerged in water or any
liquid change as it is moved deeper and deeper in that liquid ?
Solution The buoyant force doesn’t change with depth. Suppose you drop a steel cube into the
ocean. You might think that the cube would sink only to a depth where the buoyant
force on the cube balances its weight. However, the steel sinks to the bottom, no matter
how deep the ocean is. The buoyant force on the cube is the difference between the
downward force due to the water pressure on the top of the cube, and the upward force
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

due to water pressure on the bottom of the cube. When the cube is deeper, the pressure
on the top surface increases, but the pressure on the bottom surface also increases by
the same amount. As a result, the difference between the forces on the top and bottom
surfaces is the same, no matter how deep the cube is submerged. The buoyant force on
the submerged object is the same at any depth.

50
 Fluid

Illustration 4. A lady purchases a cheap “gold” crown at a flea (street) market. After she gets home,
she hangs the crown from a scale and finds its weight to be 7.84 N [see fig.(a)]. She
then weighs the crown while it is immersed in water, and the scale reads 6.86 N
[see fig.(b)]. Is the crown made of pure gold ? Explain.
Take, Density of gold = 19,300 kg/m3; density of water = 1000 kg/m3 ; g = 9.8 m/s2.

S pring
7.8 4 N bala nce 6 .86 N

B u o ya n t
fo rce

W ater

W eight
W eight (b ) In w ate r

Solution. Given, weight of crown in air, W1 = 7.84 N ;

density of water, rL = 1000 kg/m3 ;
weight of crown in water, W2 = 6.86 N ;
density of crown, rs = ?
Now, weight of gold crown in air, W1 = msg = rsVsg
or rsVsg = 7.84 ....(1)
where, Vs is the volume of the crown.
Buoyant force, FB = loss of weight in a liquid
or FB = W1 – W2 = 7.84 – 6.86 = 0.98 N
Also, FB = weight of liquid displaced = mLg = rLVLg =rLVsg
(Vs = VL, because crown is completely immersed in water)
or rLVsg = 0.98 ....(2)

(1) r V g 7.84 rs 7.84

Þ s s = or =
rL 0.98 = 8
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

(2) rL Vs g 0.98

or rs = 8 × rL = 8 × 1000 = 8000 kg/m3

Since, the density of gold is 19,300 kg/m3, the crown is certainly not pure. It is either
hollow, made of an alloy, or both.

51
Class IX : Physics

Objective Questions
1. A fire wood board floats in fresh water with 60 % of its volume under water. The density of the
wood in g/cm3 is :
(A) 0.4 (B) 0.5 (C) 0.6 (D) 0.3

2. Choose the wrong statement :

(A) In floating condition, the apparent weight of the body is zero and body is said to be weightless.
(B) The weight of the floating body is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced
(C) If the weight of the body is greater than the weight of the liquid displaced when it is completely
immersed in the liquid then it sinks.
(D) None of these

3. If a block of wood is floating in a river, then the apparent weight of the floating block is :
(A) equal to the weight of the displaced water
(B) equal to the actual weight of the block
(C) greater than the weight of the displaced water
(D) Zero

4. A block of wood floats separately in river water and then in ocean water. Then, the weight of the
displaced river water is :
(A) equal to the weight of the displaced ocean water
(B) less than the weight of the displaced ocean water
(C) more than the weight of the displaced ocean water
(D) can't say

5. Choose the correct statement :

(A) Weight of a body measured by using a spring balance in air is its apparent weight
(B) Apparent weight of a certain body floating in different liquids is different
(C) Volume of floating body is always equal to the volume of the liquid displaced by it
(D) None of these

Subjective Questions

6. What do you mean by apparent weight of a body immersed in a liquid?

7. State law of floatation.

19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

8. Why does an object float or sink when placed on the surface of water?

9. The volume of 45 g of a substance is 30 cm3. If the density of water is 1 g cm–3, will the substance
float or sink? Explain

10. Why does a hollow ball of plastic left under water come to the surface of water?

52
 Fluid

l Density is the measure of the concentration of matter of an object and it is measured as the mass
per unit volume of a matter/substance.

l Solids and liquids tend to be almost incompressible, meaning that their density changes very little
with changes in pressure. Thus, the densities for solids and liquids are approximately independent
of pressure.

l Gases are compressible and can have densities over a wide range of values. Thus, there is not a
standard density for a gas, as there is for solids and liquids. The densities for gases are usually the
values of the density at STP. For deviations of temperature and pressure from these values, the
density of the gas will vary significantly.

l The relative density is numerically equal to density in g/cm3. To find density in kg/m3, simply multiply
103 with the relative density. For example, the relative density of aluminium is 2.7 thus, its density is
2.7 g cm–3 or 2.7 × 103 kg m–3.

l A cubic meter is a very big volume. Thus, a smaller and commonly used unit for volume is litre.
1 litre = 10–3 m3 = 103 cm3
1 milli litre = 1 cm3 = 1 c.c.

l The weight of a hundred rupee note resting completely flat on a table exerts a pressure of about 1 Pa
on the table. Since 1 Pa is a very small unit of pressure, pressure sometimes is expressed in units of
kPa, which is 1,000 Pa.

l A change in pressure at any point in an enclosed fluid at rest is transmitted undiminished to all
points in the fluid. This is called Pascal's principle. Pascal's principle was discovered in the seventeenth
century by Blaise Pascal.

l Archimedes' principle has many applications. It is used in designing ships and submarines.
Lactometers, which are used to determine the purity of a sample of milk, and hydrometers used for
determining density of liquids, are based on this principle.

l Archimedes was a Greek mathematician who was born in Syracuse. According to legend, the king
of Syracuse suspected that a certain golden crown was not pure gold. While bathing, Archimedes
figured out how to test the crown’s authenticity when he discovered the buoyancy principle. He is
reported to have then exclaimed,“Eureka!” meaning “I’ve found it!”

l For a solid body volume and density will be same as that of its constituent substance of equal mass
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

i.e. if Mbody = Msub then Vbody = Vsub and rbody = rsub. But for a hollow body or body with air gaps
Mbody = Msub and Vbody > Vsub then rbody < rsub

l In case of W = Th, the equilibrium of floating body does not depend upon variations in g though
both thrust and weight depends upon g.

53
Class IX : Physics

l The weight of the plastic bag full of atmospheric air is same as that of empty bag because the
additional up thrust is equal to the weight of the air enclosed.

l When wind blows with a high velocity above a tin roof, it causes lowering of pressure above the
roof, while the pressure below the roof is still atmospheric. Due to this pressure-difference the roof
is lifted up.

l If we are standing on a platform and a train passes through the platform with very high speed we
are pulled towards the train. This is because as the train comes at high speed, the pressure between
us and the train decreases. Thus the air behind us which is still at atmospheric pressure pushes us
towards the train. The reason behind flying-off of small papers, straws and other light objects
towards the train is also the same.

l Viscosity is the property of the fluid (liquid or gas) by virtue of which it opposes the relative motion
between its adjacent layers. It is the fluid friction or internal friction.

19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

54
 Fluid

1. If density of iron is 7900 kgm-3 then its relative density is :

(A) 7900 (B) 790 (C) 79 (D) 7.9

2. 1 bar is equal to :
(A) 105 Pa (B) 103 Pa (C) 10–3 Pa (D) 10–5 Pa

3. The principle of fluid pressure that is used in hydraulic brakes or lifts is that :
(A) pressure is the same at all points in a fluid
(B) increase in pressure is transmitted equally to all parts of a fluid
(C) the pressure at a point in a fluid is due to the weight of the fluid above it
(D) increases of pressure can only be transmitted through fluids

4. The thrust acting on the base of vessel filled with water is– (take g = 10 m/s2)

(A) 104N
area = 2m2
4
(B) 1.5 × 10 N
3 –3
r=10 Kgm
(C) 2 × 104 N 1m

area = 1m2
(D) 3 × 104 N

5. Which of the following is correct in relation with pressure at point A, B, C & D respectively :

A B C D

(A) PA > PB> PC> PD (B) PA < PB < PC < PD

(C) PA = PB = PC = PD (D) PB > PA & PD > PC

6. Calculate h in the U tube shown in figure. (roil = 900 Kg/m3, rliq = 1600 Kg/m3, rHg = 13600 Kg/m3)
(A) 25 cm A E
(B) 18.9 cm h Oil Liquid
0.2m
(C) 15.9 cm B
C D
(D) 24 cm
Hg
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

7. A cylinder is filled with a liquid of density d up to a height h. If the beaker is at rest, then the mean
pressure on the wall is :
h
(A) Zero (B) hdg (C) dg (D) 2 hdg
2

55
Class IX : Physics

8. Which is true about an inflatable beach ball as it is pushed under water ?

(A) When the ball is under water, the pressure on the ball is the same at all places on the surface
of the ball.
(B) The buoyant force on the ball increases the farther below the surface of the water as you push
the ball.
(C) The buoyant force on the ball increases until the entire ball is underwater.
(D) Every point of ball experiences pressure from the water only in the vertical direction.

9. Sonam has 4 solid metallic balls, all of equal weight. The sizes of the 4 balls are as shown below.
If ball 2 sinks in water, which of the other balls will definitely sink in water ?

1 2 3 4
(A) Only ball 1 (B) Only ball 3
(C) Both ball 1 and ball 4 (D) All the other balls -1, 3 and 4

10. Cotton and iron of weight 1 Kg each in air are weighed in vacuum. Then–
(A) Iron is heavier (B) Cotton is heavier (C) Both weigh 1 Kg (D) Both have zero weight

11. A cylindrical log of wood floats vertically in water with one-fourth of its length out of water. The
density of wood is :
(A) 0.25 g/cc (B) 0.5 g/cc (C) 0.75 g/cc (D) 1 g/cc

12. Two pieces of metal when immersed in liquid completely, have equal upthrust on them. Then–
(A) Both peices have equal weight in air (B) Both pieces have equal volumes
(C) Both pieces have equal density (D) Both are floated to the same depth

13. When two bodies A and B are immersed in water, it is found that the loss of weight of each body is
same. It can therefore be inferred that :
(A) They have the same weight in air (B) They have same densities
(C) They have same weight in water (D) They have same volume immersed in water
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

rd th
2 3
14. A body floats with volume inside the water and with volume inside the liquid then relative
3 4
density of the liquid will be :
3 8 9 8
(A) (B) (C) (D)
8 3 8 9

56
 Fluid

15. When water is heated from 0°C to 20°C, then its density :
(A) increases (B) decreases
(C) first decreases then increases (D) first increases then decreases

16. An object is put one by one in three liquids having different densities. The object floats with
1/9, 2/11, 3/7 parts of its volume outside the liquid surface in liquids of densities d1, d2 and d3
respectively. Which of the following statements is correct ?
(A) d1 > d2 > d3 (B) d1 > d2 < d3 (C) d1 < d2 > d3 (D) d1 < d2 < d3

17. An object weighs 10 N in air. When immersed fully in water, it weighs only 8 N. The weight of the
liquid displaced by the object will be :
(A) 2 N (B) 8 N (C) 10 N (D) 12 N

18. Three identical shaped blocks floats in water as shown. The relation between their densities is–
2
1 3

(A) r1 > r2 > r3 (B) r2 > r1 > r3 (C) r3 > r1 > r2 (D) r3 > r2 > r1

19. As the density of a series of liquids increases, the up thrust on the iron rod submerged :
(A) increases (B) decreases (C) remains constant (D) nothing can be said

20. A rectangular block is 5 cm × 5 cm × 10 cm. The block is floating in water with 5 cm side vertical.
If it floats with 10 cm side vertical what change will occur in the level of water :
(A) No change
(B) It will rise
(C) It will fall
(D) It may rise or fall depending on the density of block

21. A body submerged in the sea was brought up slowly from the sea bed to the sea surface. Variation
of pressure on the body with decrease in the depth of sea is shown in the figures below. Which
of these is correct ?

P P

(A) 1 atm (B) 1 atm

0 0
S ea bed S ea sur face S ea bed S ea sur face
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

P P

(C) 1 atm (D) 1 atm

0 0
S ea bed Sea su r face S ea bed S ea sur face

57
Class IX : Physics

22. A boat of mass 650 kg floats on water. What volume of water does it displace :
(A) 0.65 m3 (B) 6.50 m3 (C) 6.5 × 103 m3 (D) 0.65 × 102 m3

23. Density of ice is s and that of water is r. What will be the decrease in volume when a mass
M of ice melts?

M s-r é 1 1ù 1 é1 1 ù
(A) (B) (C) M ê - ú (D) -
s-r M ës rû M êë r s úû

24. A body measures 5 N in air and 2 N when put in water. The buoyant force is :
(A) 7 N (B) 9 N (C) 3 N (D) None of these

25. In case of a body placed in liquid if the buoyant force is equal to its actual weight, then its apparent
weight–
(A) Is equal to actual weight (B) Is equal to buoyant force
(C) Is greater than its actual weight (D) Is equal to zero

19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

58
 Fluid

1. If mercury barometer is placed at the moon’s surface, then the height of Hg column will be–
(A) h = 760 mm of Hg (B) 76 mm of Hg
(C) h = 0 (D) None of these

2. A sample of metal weighs 210 grams in air, 180 grams in water and 120 grams in liquid. Then
relative density of metal is :
(A) 7 (B) 3 (C) 9 (D) 1/3

3. A boat having a length of 3 metre and breadth 2 metre is floating on a lake. The boat sinks by
1 cm when a man gets on it. The mass of the man is :
(A) 60 kg (B) 62 kg (C) 72 kg (D) 128 kg

4. A wooden block, with a coin placed on its top, floats in water as shown Coin
in figure, the distance I and h are shown there. After some time the coin
falls into the water. Then : l

(A) I decreases and h increases (B) I increases and h decreases h

(C) Both I and h increase (D) Both I and h decrease

5. A wooden cube just floats inside water when a 200 g mass is placed on it. When the mass is
removed the cube is 2 cm above water level. The side of cube is :
(A) 5 cm (B) 10 cm (C) 15 cm (D) 20 cm

6. The spring balance A read 2 kg. with a block m suspended from it. A balance
B reads 5 kg. when a beaker with liquid is put on the pan of the balance. The
two balances are now so arranged that the hanging mass is inside the liquid A

in the beaker as shown in fig. In this situation :

(A) The balance A will read more than 2 kg. m
(B) The balance B will read less than 5 kg. B
(C) The balance A will read less than 2 kg. and B will read more than 5 kg.
(D) The balance A and B will read 2 kg. and 5 kg. respectively.

7. A ball of density r is gently released in a liquid of density s, where r > s. What will be the
acceleration of free fall of the ball in the liquid ?
(A) g (B) (r - s) g (C) (r – s) g /r (D) rg / (r - g)

8. A boat carrying steel balls is floating on the surface of water in a tank. If the balls are thrown into the
tank one by one, how will it affect the level of water :
(A) It will remain unchanged (B) It will rise
(C) It will fall (D) First it will raise and then fall

9. A crown made of gold and copper weighs 210 gm in air and 198 gm in water, the weight of gold in
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

crown is– (rgold = 19.3 g/cm3, rcopper = 8.5 g/cm3)

(A) 193 gm (B) 200 gm (C) 180 gm (D) 112 gm

10. An object of weight W and density r is submerged in a fluid of density r1 . Its apparent weight will be

(r - r1 ) æ r1 ö
(A) W(r - r1 ) (B) (C) W ç 1 - ÷ (D) W(r1 - r)
W è rø

59
Class IX : Physics

Very short answer type questions

1. Define thrust. Write its S.I. unit.

2. If relative density of a substance is 1.5, will this substance sink or float in water ?

3. Write any one factor on which the buoyant force depends.

4. What is the relationship between buoyant force and the weight of liquid displaced ?

5. When submerged, a 3 N block appears to weigh only 1 N. What is the significance of 'missing
weight' ?

6. An object is thrown into a deep lake. As it sinks deeper and deeper into the water, does the buoyant
force upon it increase or decrease ?

7. Two solid blocks of identical size are submerged in water. One block is lead and the other is aluminium.
Upon which is the buoyant force greater ?

8. Why is it easier for you to float in salty water than in freshwater ?

9. What is the relationship between liquid pressure and the depth of a liquid ? And also between liquid
pressure and density?

10. Is the buoyant force on a submerged object equal to the weight of the object itself or equal to the
weight of the fluid displaced by the object?

11. State Archimedes Principle. What are its application? [CBSE/SA-2-2014]

12. Define buoyancy. [CBSE/SA-2-2014]

Short answer type questions

13. An iron block sinks, while the same quantity of iron shaped like a boat floats. Why ?

14. Why does buoyant force act upward on an object submerged in water ?

15. Stand on a bathroom scale and read your weight. When you lift one foot up so that you're standing
on one foot, does the reading change? Does a scale read force or pressure ?

16. You know that a sharp knife cuts better than a dull knife. Do you know why this is so? Give reason
for your answer.
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

17. Why does your body get more rest when you're lying down than it does when you're sitting ?

18. Why will a block of iron float in mercury but sink in water ?

19. Define Archimedes' principle. How can it be experimentally verified ?

60
 Fluid

20. How can you determine relative density of a substance using the Archimedes' principle.

21. Explain a device that utilises the 'Pascal's law' in its working.

22. Define the term 'relative density'. Write its SI unit. If relative density of a substance in 0.8, is it
heavier than or lighter than water ?

23. Loaded test tube placed in pure milk sinks to a certain mark (M). Now some water is mixed with the
milk. Will the test tube sink more or less? Explain. [CBSE/SA-2-2012]

24. Define pressure and state its S.I. unit. The dimensions of a metallic cuboid are 30cm×20cm×15cm
and its mass is 30 kg. If the acceleration due to gravity is 10m/s2, calculate the pressure exerted by
the cuboid when it is resting on the face having sides 20cm×15cm on a table.[CBSE/SA-2-2012]

25. A piece of stone is tied at one end of a rubber string and holded from other end, it is allowed to
immersed partially then fully into water. What difference if any, you will observe, and why ?
[CBSE/SA-2-2012]

26. Two identical blocks, one of iron and other of wood are immersed in water at same depth. Which
one will come upward? Why ? [CBSE/SA-2-2012]

27. Relative densities of two substances A and B are 2.5 and 0.9 respectively. Find densities of A and
B. Also find whether they will sink or float in water? (density of water = 1000 kg/m3)
[CBSE/SA-2-2012]

28. Define (a) Thrust (b) Buoyant force (c) Pressure. Give S.I. unit of each. [CBSE/SA-2-2013]

Long answer type questions

29. Define 'buoyant force'. What is the cause of buoyant force? Explain an activity to show how buoyant
force changes as the volume of an object immersed in water changes.

30. Explain in detail the concept of floating and sinking on the basis of density of an object as compared
to the density of liquid in which it is immersed.

31. Why ice floats on the surface of water ? What happens to the water level in a vessel if the ice floating
on the surface melts completely ? Show it mathematically.

32. Define 'relative density'. Explain in detail an activity to measure the relative density of an object
using Archimedes' principle.

33. (i) A cube of side 5 cm is immersed in water and then in saturated salt solution. In which case will
it experience a greater buoyant force? Give reasons.
(ii)If each side of the cube is reduced to 4 cm and then immersed in water, what will be the effect on
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

the buoyant force experienced by the cube as compared to the first case for water? Give reason
for each case.

34. Define thrust. A force of 150N acts on a surface of area 15cm2. Calculate thrust and pressure.
[CBSE/SA-2-2013]

35. A solid body of mass 150g occupies 60cm3 volume. Will the solid sink of float? Give density of
water is 1g cm–3. [CBSE/SA-2-2014]

61
Class IX : Physics

Direction : Read the passage carefully and answer question numbers 1 and 2.
The relative density of a solid with respect to a liquid is 4/5 and relative density of the liquid with
respect to water is 10/9. The buoyant force exerted by a liquid on a solid immersed in it is equal to
the weight of the liquid displaced by the solid. (NSO)
1. Specific gravity of solid with respect to water is :
(A) 18/25 (B) 8/9 (C) 0.56 (D) 1.8

2. When 4 kg of this solid is immersed in water, the buoyant force epxerience by it is (given g = 9.8 m s–2)
(A) 4.5 g (B) 4g (C) 5g (D) 10g

3. When water is heated from 4°C to 20°C, then its density: (SSTSE)
(A) increases (B) decreases
(C) first decreases then increases (D) first increases then decreases

4. A large iron body of mass 2 kg and volume 2.5 × 103 m3 is dipped in water. Will it float or sink?
(Density of water is 1g/cm3) (NSTSE-2006)
(A) Float (B) Sink (C) Float & then sink (D) Can't be determined

5. An iron cube of mass 5 kg and sides 10 cm is inside water. What will be its apparent weight?
(NSTSE-2007)
(A) 39.2 N (B) 58.8 N (C) 49 N (D) 24.5 N

6. The given figure shows the cross-section of a dam and its reservoir. The widening of the wall
towards the bottom is because of : (NSTSE-2007)
(A) increase in pressure with depth of water
(B) decrease in pressure with width of the base
(C) change of C.G.. of water
(D) increase in mass of the wall

7. A body floats on water and also on an oil of specific gravity 0.8. Which of the following is/are true?
(A) Body loses less weight in oil than in water (NSEJS 2008-09)
(B) Volume of water displaced is 0.8 times that in oil
(C) It experiences equal upthrust from water and oil
(D) For the body to just sink, 0.8 times of extra load is required in water than in oil

8. Which of the following is not matched correctly? (NSTSE-2008)

(A) Force-kg ms–1 (B) Pressure-Nm–2 (C) Buoyancy-N (D) Density-kg-m–3

9. A beaker containing water is placed on the platform of a digital weight machine. It reads 1100 g. A
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

metal body of density 8g/cc and mass 200 g is suspended in water in the beaker (without touching
the walls of the beaker). It is attached by a suitable string fixed to some support. Now the reading of
weighing machine will be (NSEJS 2009-10)
(A) 1100g (B) 1125g (C) 1275g (D) 1300g

10. A gallon of water and a gallon of antifreeze solution weigh, respectively 8.4 and 9.2 lb. The antifreeze
solution has a relative density of: (INJSO 2009)
(A) 0.095 (B) 0.80 (C) 0.91 (D) 1.1
62
 Fluid

11. A ball whose density is 0.4×103 kg/m3 falls into water from a height of 9 cm. To what depth does the
ball sink? (Hint: Only consider buoyancy and ignore retardation due to viscosity)(INJSO 2009)
(A) 9 cm (B) 6 cm (C) 4.5 cm (D) 2.25 cm

12. A wooden cylinder floats vertically in water with one fourth of its length immersed. What will be the
density of wood ? (NSTSE-2010)
(A) It equals to the density of water (B) It equals to half the density of water
(C) It equals to one fourth the density of water (D) It equals to three fourth the density of water

13. Assertion : The buoyant force of water on a completely submerged wooden cube is greater than on a steel
cube of equal volume.
Reason : The buoyant force on a body is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced by the body.
(NSTSE-2010)
(A) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(B) Both assertion and reason are true, but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(C) Assertion is true, reason is false.
(D) Assertion is false, reason is true.

14. Figure show that a submarine can either sink or float even though the upthrust acting on it is the
same. What is the relationship between the weight of submarine and the upthrust when the
submarine sinks in water ? (NSTSE-2010)
(A) Weight of submarine < upthrust. Submarine
Sea surface Submerging
(B) Weight of submarine = upthrust. Empty
full
(C) Weight of submarine > upthrust. ballast ballast
tank tank
(D) Weight of submarine £ upthrust.

15. Three objects are introduced into the same liquid as shown below. Which of the following is in
descending order of relative density of the objects ? (NSTSE-2010)

(A) P, Q, R (B) Q, P, R (C) R, P, Q (D) Q, R, P

16. A man of mass 100 kg stands on a wood plank of area 4 m2. What is the pressure exerted on the
floor? Assume the area of a human foot to be 200 cm2. (INJSO 2010)
(A) 500 N (B) 25 N (C) 50000 N (D) 250 N

17. A large water tank is filled at a constant rate of 10 litres/min. It has a outlet of maximum flow of 10 litres/min
at the bottom of the tank, but the output is proportional to the water present in the tank at any given
time. How will the 'v', volume of water content in the tank, change with time ? (INJSO 2010)
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

v v v v
(A) (B) (C) (D)
(0, 0) (0, 0) t (0, 0) t (0, 0) t
t

18. An ice cube floats in a glass of water, when the ice cube melts, the water level will:
(NTSE Stage 1 Raj 2013)
(A) Rise (B) Fall
(C) Remain unchanged (D) First fall and then rise
63
Class IX : Physics

19. On the basis of which principle/law submarine is constructed (NTSE Stage 1 Gujarat 2013)
(A) Principle of Archimedes (B) Law of Pascal
(C) Law of Bernoulli (D) Law of Newton

20. When a body is immersed in a liquid, the buoyant force that acts on the body will be:
(NTSE Stage 1 Raj 2014)
(A) Vertically downwards (B) Vertically upwards
(C) Horizontally right side (D) Horizontally left side

21. A cube of side 4 cm made of wood is floating in water of density 1.00gcc–1. When a small steel
ball is embedded in the cube it just immerses in water. If density of wood is 0.76gcc–1, then mass
of the steel ball is (NSEJS 2015-16)
(A) 12.65g (B) 3.84g (C) 15.36g (D) 22.98g

22. A beaker is filled with two non-mixing liquids. The lower liquid has density twice that of the upper
one. A cylinder of height h floats with one-fourth of its height submerged in the lower liquid and half
of its height submerged in the upper liquid. Another beaker is filled with the denser of the two
liquids alone. If the same cylinder is kept in the second beaker, the height of the submerged position
would be. (NTSE Stage-II 2016-17)
(A) h (B) 3h/4 (C) h/2 (D) h/4

23. A chemist mixes two ideal liquids A and B to form a homogeneous mixture. The densities of
the liquids are 2.0 g/mL for A and 3g/mL for B. When she drops a small object into the mixture,
she finds that the object becomes suspended in the liquid; that is, it neither sinks to the bottom
nor does it float on the surface. If the mixture is made of 40% A and 60% B, by volume, what
is the density of the object ? (NSEJS 2016)
(A) 2.60 g/mL (B) 2.50 g/mL (C) 2.40 g/mL (D) 1.50 g/mL

24. Object A is completely immersed in water. True weight of object

?
A is WA. Weight of water with beaker is WB. Let B be the
buoyant force. W1 and W2 are scale reading of spring balance Spring balance
?
and weighing scale respectively. (NSEJS 2016)
(A) W1 = WA
(B) W1 = WA + B A

(C) W2 = WB
gm Weighing scale
(D) W2 = WB + B

25. U-tube contains some amount of mercury. Immiscible Liquid X

is poured in left immiscible liquid Y is poured in the right arm.
Length of liquid X is 8 cm, length Y is 10 cm and upper levels arm
of liquid
of X and Y are equal. If density of Y is 3.36 g.cm–3 and 13.6 of Hg is
g.cm–3 then density of X is (NSEJS 2016-17)
–3
(A) 0.8 g.cm
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

(B) 1.2 g.cm–3

(C) 1.4 g.cm–3
(D) 1.6 g.cm–3

26. The magnitude of buoyant force depends on which one of the following properties of fluid ?
(NTSE Stage-I (Raj.)/ 2017)
(A) Mass of object (B) Size of object (C) Density of liquid (D) Size of container
64
 Fluid

27. A bottle P full of water containing an air bubble is rotated in horizontal circle by a string tied to the
neck of the bottle. Then air bubble will : (NTSE Stage-I (Haryana)/ 2017)
(A) be collected at bottom (B) remain unaffected
(C) be collected at the wall of bottle (D) be collected at the neck

28. A common hydrometer has a uniform scale and its stem is graduated downwards from 0 to 20.
While floating in water, it read 0 and while floating in a liquid of density 1.40 g/cm3, it reads 20.
Then the density of the liquid in which it will reacd 10 is (NSEJS – 2017)
(A) 0.7 g/cm3 (B) 0.85 g/cm3 (C) 1.17 g/cm3 (D) 2.8 g/cm3

29. A beaker half-filled with water is put on a platform balance

which is then set to zero. A 800 g mass is immersed partially

in water using a spring balance as shown in the figure. If the

spring balance reads 300 g, what will be the reading on the

platform balance ? (NTSE Stage-II 2017)

(A) 200 g (B) 300 g

(C) 500 g (D) 800 g

30. A metallic cubical solid block of side L is slowly lowered continuously in a large vessel, filled with
water. Let d be the depth of the lower surface of the block, measured from the surface of the water,
at some instant. The graph which represents correctly the variation of the buoyant force F with
depth d is : (NTSE Stage-II 2018)

F F F F
(N) (N) (N) (N)
(A) (B) (C) (D)

d(cm) d(cm) d(cm) d(cm)

19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

th
æ 3ö
31. A block of wood floats on water with ç ÷ of its volume above water. It is now made to float on a
è 8ø
salt solution of relative density 1.12. The fraction of its volume that remains above the salt solution
now, is nearly _______. (NSEJS – 2018)
(A) 0.33 (B) 0.44 (C) 0.67 (D) 0.56

65
Class IX : Physics

ANSWERS
CHECK POST-1
1. (C) 2. (A) 3. (D) 4. (A) 5. (C)

CHECK POST-2
1. (D) 2. (B) 3. (A) 4. (D) 5. (B)

CHECK POST-3
1. (C) 2. (A) 3. (B) 4. (B) 5. (D)

CHECK POST-4
1. (B) 2. (A) 3. (D) 4. (C) 5. (B)

CHECK POST-5
1. (C) 2. (D) 3. (D) 4. (A) 5. (D)

EXERCISE-1 : (ELEMENTARY)

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ans. D A B A C B C C A B
Que. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Ans. C B D D D D A C A A
Que. 21 22 23 24 25
Ans. A A C C D

EXERCISE-2 : (SEASONED)

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ans. C A A D B C C C A C

EXERCISE-4
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ans. B A B A A A B&C A B D
Que. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Physics\IX\Unit-2\2-Fluid

Ans. B C D C D D A C A B
Que. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Ans. C C A D A C D C C C
Que. 31
Ans. B
*****
66