Do I need to install anything?

No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.

For K-12 Students · Buoyancy

Buoyancy for a slingshot

Built for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework. Simulate a slingshot live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.

Buoyancy & ArchimedesLive

floating equilibrium by density

Controls

An object floats with exactly the fraction ρ_object/ρ_fluid submerged. Denser than the fluid? It sinks. This is Archimedes' principle, live.

Presets

Object density (kg/m³)

Fluid density (kg/m³)

Object size

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Fraction submerged60%

Statefloats

ρ ratio0.60

Governing equation

\frac{V _{s u b}}{V} = \frac{ρ _{o bj}}{ρ _{f l u i d}} = \frac{600}{1000} = 0.60 F_{b} = ρ_{f l u i d} g V

Reading this result: Lighter than the fluid (ρ ratio 0.60), so it floats with exactly 60% submerged — the submerged fraction equals the density ratio, and object size never changes it.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

or unlock everything with Pro →

Also for:Students Researchers Educators Engineers Hobbyists & Makers First Responders General version →

More with Buoyancy

Buoyancy for a projectile from a cannon Buoyancy for a bouncing ball Buoyancy for a pendulum clock Buoyancy for a car braking Buoyancy for a roller-coaster loop Buoyancy for a satellite orbit Buoyancy for a mass on a spring Buoyancy for a skydiver's free fall

Frequently asked questions

Is this good for k-12 students?: Yes — this version of "Buoyancy for a slingshot" is framed for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework.
Do I need to install anything?: No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.