Describe the forces that moved the floating pieces of chocolate (or wax) during Part 2 of the activity. How did the forces relate to the direction of water flow in the bin?
In Part 2 of the activity, the floating pieces of chocolate (or wax) were moved by two main forces - buoyancy and fluid flow.
Buoyancy is a force exerted by a fluid, in this case, water, that opposes the weight of an object submerged in it. The floating chocolate pieces experience an upward buoyant force because they are less dense than the water. This force pushes the chocolate pieces upwards, causing them to rise towards the surface of the water.
The fluid flow, or the movement of the water, also plays a role in moving the floating pieces. As the water flows in the bin, it creates a current or a flow pattern. This current exerts a force on the floating objects, pushing them in the direction of the water flow. The strength and direction of this force depend on the speed and direction of the water flow. If the water flow is strong, it can move the floating chocolate pieces more forcefully, whereas a weaker flow will result in less movement.
The forces of buoyancy and fluid flow are related to the direction of water flow in the bin. The buoyant force helps the chocolate pieces rise towards the water surface, regardless of the water flow direction. However, the force generated by the fluid flow pushes the chocolate pieces in the same direction as the water flow. Therefore, if the water is flowing from left to right, the chocolate pieces will be pushed towards the right side of the bin. Likewise, if the water flow is from right to left, the chocolate pieces will be pushed towards the left side of the bin. The direction and strength of the fluid flow play a significant role in determining the direction and extent of movement of the floating pieces.