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Physics Investigative Project Writeup

The project investigates how pressure varies with depth in water, confirming that pressure increases proportionally with depth according to Archimedes' Principle. The experiment involved measuring the upthrust on a submerged mass at various depths and calculating the corresponding pressure, resulting in a gradient that was used to estimate gravitational acceleration. Limitations included inaccuracies in readings due to small surface area and temperature fluctuations, but the findings are relevant for applications in water supply systems, submarine design, and diving practices.

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7 views6 pages

Physics Investigative Project Writeup

The project investigates how pressure varies with depth in water, confirming that pressure increases proportionally with depth according to Archimedes' Principle. The experiment involved measuring the upthrust on a submerged mass at various depths and calculating the corresponding pressure, resulting in a gradient that was used to estimate gravitational acceleration. Limitations included inaccuracies in readings due to small surface area and temperature fluctuations, but the findings are relevant for applications in water supply systems, submarine design, and diving practices.

Uploaded by

teodortjames
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PHYSICS INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT (Teodor, Kahlid, Azareel, Sarai)

Aim: To investigate how pressure varies with depth below the surface of water.

Hypothesis: The pressure that water exerts on its surroundings increases proportionally as the depth below the
surface increases, according to Archimedes’ Principle.

Variables:
- Manipulated variable: The depth below the surface of water.
- Responding variable: The pressure value.
- Control variables: Mass, and total volume of the water.

Apparatuses:
 Measuring ruler
 large container (of uniform cylindrical shape)
 distilled water
 500g mass bob
 spring balance
 string
 scotch tape
 marker.

Diagrams:

:
Method:

1. The spring balance was ensured to be zeroed.


2. The 260g mass bob was attached onto the spring balance using the string.
3. The weight of the 260g spring balance was measured and recorded, outside of the water, using the spring
balance.
4. The area (at the open surface) of the provided container was measured and recorded.
5. A table was created to record all readings to be taken, and steps 7 - 11 were repeated six times.
6. The container was filled with distilled water.
7. The bob was ensured to be submerged in the water, at a depth 5cm below the last recorded depth (or
surface), using the ruler. This measurement was taken at eye-level and from the bottom of the mass, when
the water was still.
8. This depth was recorded.
9. The apparent weight of the 0.26Kg mass was recorded.
10. The upthrust that the water applied onto the mass was calculate and recorded using the formula (Upthrust =
Wr - Wa).
11. The pressure at that depth was recorded using the formula P = F/A, where A is the area of the container at
that point, and F is the upthrust the water applied to the bob.
12. A graph of Pressure vs Depth was plotted, using a line of best fit.

Results:

Diameter of Container: 0.065 cm

Weight of mass: 2.6N

Area of cylinder: 0.003318 m²


TABLE OF RESULTS:

Depth (m) Apparent Weight (N) Upthrust/Force (N) Pressure (Pa)


(Recorded Weight - Apparent Weight) (Upthrust / Area)

0.00 2.60 0.00 0.00

0.01 2.50 0.10 30.14

0.02 2.40 0.20 60.28

0.03 2.30 0.30 90.42

0.04 2.20 0.40 120.55

0.05 2.10 0.50 150.69

0.06 2.00 0.60 180.83

0.07 1.90 0.70 210.97


Discussion:

To start this experiment, I took multiple readings of upthrust at different heights and plotted a graph of
Pressure vs Depth. This was done to test Archimedes’ principle, which states that an object will
experience an upthrust when it is partially or wholly submerged in a fluid.

In the graph, a trend was found showing that as depth increased, pressuring increased. Confirming that
pressure is directly proportional to the depth below the surface, and that Archimedes’ principle is correct.

To calculate the gravitational acceleration of the earth using the graph, we found the gradient and equated
P
it to the formula = ρg.
Δh
y 2− y 1 196−44
Gradient found: = =¿ 3040 Pa m−1
x 2−x 1 0.065−0.015

: Δ P=ρg Δ h

ΔP
: =ρg
Δh

From this, g was found via the following steps:

ΔP
: g=
ρΔ h

Where ρ = 1000 Kg/m3

3040∗1 −1
Hence g = =3.04 NKg
1000

As gravity is 9.8NKg-1, the gravity found is abnormal, probably due to the fact that the change in pressure was so
little. This is because the surface area which the upthrust acted on the mass was small, meaning any small
fluctuations with external conditions will cause inaccurate results, resulting in a source of error.

Limitations:

1. Due to the temperature of the bob, when it is submerged into the water, the temperature, and thus the
pressure at that depth will slightly fluctuate according to Archimedes’ Principle.

2. The readings are not very accurate

Reflection:

As pressure experienced when submerged in a fluid increases with depth, the Titan Submersible imploded due to
the extreme pressures it experienced.

In our daily lives, the concept that pressure increases with depth is vital for water supply systems. Elevated water
tanks use this principle to ensure water flows to homes constantly. The understanding that pressure increases with
depth aids in designing submarines, ensuring their structure can withstand high pressures on its outer surface. It also
informs diving practices to prevent decompression sickness and helps in creating accurate hydraulic systems for
machinery.

Conclusion:

The hypothesis is correct.

As depth, D, increases, pressure, P, increases. Hence P is directly proportional to D.

Gravitational Field Strength found: g=3.04 m s−2

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