SfC Home > Science Projects and Experiments >
Fluids Experiment: Show Weight in Water is Less than in Air
by Ron Kurtus (updated 21 November 2022)
You may have noticed that objects seem to weigh less when under water than when they are held outside the water. Perhaps you have noticed this when you were swimming and picked up something off the floor of the pool or lake.
This can be an idea for a science project in the area of Physical Science. You can measure the weight of an object in air and in water to demonstrate the physical law.
Questions you may have include:
- What is the purpose of the experiment?
- What research must be done?
- What is the experiment?
This lesson will answer those questions.
Purpose of experiment
The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate that an object that does not float actually weighs less in water than in air.
Research
Not much research is required for this experiment, since it is a demonstration. You could do some preliminary examinations to see which liquids do not mix into solutions.
Experiment
Select materials and then follow the procedure.
Materials
- Container or tub full of water
- Spring scale
- Objects that do not float to measure
Procedure
- Weigh object in air and record weight
- Place under water and weigh again
- Comparer measurements
Keep records
If this is going to be an experiment for a science fair, you will need to record your activities in a log book.
Draw conclusions
You can draw conclusions about the relationship between weight in air and in water.
Write report
Write up a report to summarize your results and your proposed solution to the problem.
Summary
You have proven that objects weigh less in water than in air. Why is that so?
Consider the possibilities
Resources and references
Websites
Books
(Notice: The School for Champions may earn commissions from book purchases)
Top-rated books on Science Fair Projects
Top-rated books on Experiments
Students and researchers
The Web address of this page is:
www.school-for-champions.com/experiments/
fluids_weight_in_water.htm
Please include it as a reference in your report, document, or thesis.
Where are you now?
Fluids Experiment: Show Relationship Between Weight in Air and in Water