In hydrostatics, the metacenter is an important point to be considered when assessing the stability of floating bodies. Stability refers to the ability of a ship to right itself from a heeled position. The metacenter is the intersection of the buoyancy vector and the vessel’s axis of symmetry at a certain heel.

The FM 100.14 unit can be used to study the stability of a floating body and to determine the metacenter graphically. In addition, the buoyancy of the floating body can also be determined. The experiment is easy to set up and is particularly suitable for practical work in small groups. The experiment is conducted in a tank filled with water. A transparent body with a rectangular frame cross-section is used as the floating body.

Clamped weights that can be moved horizontally and vertically make it possible to adjust the center of gravity and the heel. The position of the clamped weights can be read on scales. A clinometer indicates the heel. The accessory FM 100.14 is available as an optional extra for further experiments with different frame shapes.