Buoyancy force on a submerged object is directed which way?

Buoyancy force on a submerged object is directed which way?

• A. Horizontally
• B. Downward
• C. Upward
• D. Along the surface

Answer: (C)

The buoyant force direction comes from how hydrostatic pressure varies with depth around a submerged object. Pressure increases with depth in all directions, so the pressure on the bottom surface is greater than on the top surface. This imbalance yields a net vertical force pushing upward, equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object (Archimedes’ principle). Because the vertical pressure difference drives the net result, the buoyant force points upward. It's not horizontal, since horizontal components cancel out for a submerged body, and it's not downward or along the surface for the same reason—the net effect is an upward push.

The buoyant force direction comes from how hydrostatic pressure varies with depth around a submerged object. Pressure increases with depth in all directions, so the pressure on the bottom surface is greater than on the top surface. This imbalance yields a net vertical force pushing upward, equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object (Archimedes’ principle). Because the vertical pressure difference drives the net result, the buoyant force points upward. It's not horizontal, since horizontal components cancel out for a submerged body, and it's not downward or along the surface for the same reason—the net effect is an upward push.