What is the Difference Between Buoyant Force and Gravitational Force?

The main difference between buoyant force and gravitational force lies in their directions and the media in which they act. Here are the key differences:

Buoyant Force: This is an upward force that acts on objects in liquids, keeping them afloat. The buoyant force is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. It is present only in fluids and involves repulsion between the object and the fluid.
Gravitational Force: This is a force that pulls objects downward. It is generated by all matter and is the force that causes objects to fall to the ground. Gravitational force is the attraction between two objects based on their masses, and it acts in any medium, including in vacuum.

In summary, buoyant force is an upward force that keeps objects afloat in fluids, while gravitational force is a downward force that pulls objects towards the ground. Gravitational force attracts objects, while buoyant force involves repulsion between the object and the fluid.

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What is the Difference Between Buoyant Force and Gravitational Force?

Comparative Table: Buoyant Force vs Gravitational Force

Here is a table comparing the differences between buoyant force and gravitational force:

Property	Buoyant Force	Gravitational Force
Definition	The buoyant force is the net upward force on any object in any fluid, due to the pressure difference at different depths.	Gravitational force is the force of attraction between two objects with mass, such as the force exerted on an object by the Earth, Moon, or other celestial bodies.
Direction	Upward.	Downward.
Dependence	Depends on the weight of the fluid it displaces.	Depends on the mass of the objects and the distance between them.
Factors Affecting	Buoyant force depends on the density of the fluid and the volume of fluid it displaces.	Gravitational force depends on the mass of the objects and their distance apart.
Applications	Buoyant force is responsible for making objects float, sink, or remain suspended in fluids.	Gravitational force governs the motion of celestial bodies, such as planets, stars, and galaxies, and is responsible for keeping objects on the Earth's surface from floating away.
Uniformity	Buoyant force is not uniform and varies with the density of the fluid and the volume of fluid it displaces.	Gravitational force is approximately uniform throughout space, although it weakens with distance.

In summary, buoyant force is an upward force on objects in fluids, while gravitational force is a downward force between objects with mass. Buoyant force depends on the weight of the fluid displaced by an object, while gravitational force depends on the mass of the objects and their distance apart.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.