Buoyancy

Have you ever played in a big tub of water or splashed in a swimming pool. Did you ever notice how your little rubber ducky bobs right on top. It does not sink down, down, down. That is me. I am a secret push from underneath the water. I am a playful little lift that helps your toys float. I am the magic that makes you feel so light when you swim. I am a secret helper in the water, always pushing up, up, up so things do not sink.

Hello. My name is Buoyancy. Can you say that with me. Boo-oy-an-see. A long, long time ago, in a time called the 3rd century BCE, a very smart man named Archimedes was getting ready for his bath. When he climbed into his big tub, SPLASH. The water went up, up, up. He saw the water rise and shouted a very big word, “Eureka.”. That means “I found it.”. Do you know what he found. He found me. He understood my secret. I am the water’s special upward hug. When something plops into the water, it moves some water away. I am the water pushing right back up to help things float.

I have a very important job. I help the big, big ships float on the wide, blue ocean. They carry yummy bananas and new toys all around the world because of me. I also help your little toy sailboat stay up in the bathtub. When you go swimming, I am the one helping your colorful floaties keep you up. I am always there in the water, ready to give a little lift. So next time you splash and play, remember me. I am Buoyancy, your floaty friend who loves to lift everything up.