The study of buoyancy is common in physics classrooms. In the last 20 years, several educators have described, theoretically and experimentally, buoyant forces and Archimedes’ principle, both in The Physics Teacher and elsewhere. However, as far as I know, no one has reported on the pedagogical implications and experimental results of measuring the buoyant force acting on a submerged object using the overflow can method and a surface tension lowering agent (soapy water), as described in an online YouTube video aimed at teachers and produced by PASCO. This article critically examines the claims presented in this video using experimental data and teacher advice.
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