archimedes' principle

noun

Meaning

A fundamental law of physics stating that any object, wholly or partially immersed in a fluid, is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.

Examples

  • The ship stays afloat because its weight is balanced by the upward force described by Archimedes' principle.
  • Students used a spring scale and a beaker of water to demonstrate Archimedes' principle in the laboratory.

Synonyms: buoyancy law, hydrostatic principle