Example: Floating between two liquids

The hydrostatic equilibrium of a solid floating “between two liquids” is analysed, first as a classical exercise, then as a simple experiment with a particular staging. It is suggested to use this situation to address some students’ difficulties about: pressure in statics of fluids, role of atmospheric pressure, Archimedes’ up-thrust, and thinking this setting as a system. It is shown that a possible way to help students overcome some of these difficulties, especially the last one, is to use graphical representations.

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