Buoyancy - I do not understand how the fluid on top of a submerged object "pushes up" on the submerged object?

Question

I understand that buoyant force only depends on weight of displaced fluid - not depth - because the deeper you go, the more fluid is pressing on top of the object, but also the bottom of the object, and therefore cancels out.

I do not understand how the fluid on top of the submerged object "pushes up" on the submerged object.

Thank you.

I do not understand how the fluid on top of the submerged object "pushes up" on the submerged object.

Thank you.

Andrew Smith · Answer

I am not sure who would put a thumbs down to this.  Someone who is not worth wasting time upon though.
The fluid on top pushes DOWN on the object.  The fluid on the bottom is pushing up.  So the net buoyant pressure is the difference between the two which is determined by the density of the fluid and the difference in height from the top to the bottom.  If you could take the fluid away from the bottom ( like a piston at the bottom of a container) then you can clearly see that the forces on the top are definitely down.

? · Answer

The pressure is felt all around, the effect is 'crushing' or implosion.
The difference in density is what causes buoyancy.

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Buoyancy - I do not understand how the fluid on top of a submerged object "pushes up" on the submerged object?

2 Answers