A force that opposes the weight of an object in fluid and helps keep the object afloat is known as?

The term that describes a force opposing the weight of an object in a fluid and assisting in keeping the object afloat is known as buoyant force. This force arises due to the pressure difference between the top and bottom of an object immersed in a fluid, which is a principle defined by Archimedes. When an object is placed in a fluid, the fluid exerts an upward force that counteracts the downward gravitational force acting on the object. This upward force allows objects that are less dense than the fluid to float.

The other terms refer to different concepts in relation to buoyancy and fluid dynamics. The center of gravity relates to the distribution of an object's weight, while the center of buoyancy pertains to the centroid of the buoyant force acting on the submerged part of the object. Freeboard refers to the distance between the waterline and the deck of a ship, which does not directly describe a force. Understanding buoyant force is crucial in the study of how different objects behave when placed in various fluids.