Calculating Buoyancy to Find a Polar Bear's Mass

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the mass of a polar bear that is partially submerged in water and partially resting on a slab of ice. The problem involves concepts of buoyancy and the relationship between the submerged volume and the forces acting on the bear and the ice.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the volume of the bear submerged in water and the mass of the ice slab. Questions are raised about the specific gravity of the bear and ice, as well as the amount the ice sinks.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants seeking additional information to clarify the problem. Some guidance on the relationship between the bear's submerged volume and the ice's displacement has been provided, but there is no consensus on the necessary details to proceed with calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of specific information regarding how much the ice sinks and the specific gravity of the ice, which are critical to solving the problem.

thegreatone
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Buoyancy ... HELP NEEDED

A polar bear is partially in water and partially on a slab of ice. The ice sinks to some extent. Calculate the bear's mass.

How can this be done?

I know it comes down to forces but how . . .
 
Last edited:
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Not forces - it will come down to how much of the bear is in the water and how much is out of the water. However much is out of the water will directly add to the mass of the ice slab, causing it to sink lower, displacing that much more water.

Of course, you can't answer this question without more information (unless you are merely providing an algebraic answer.)
 
70% is out of the water
voume of the ice is 10m^3
bear's specific gravity is 1.0
 
someone please help ... please
 
help anyone :confused:
 
You still haven't given us enough information: the ice sinks "to some extent". How much?
The bear's specific gravity is exactly the same as water? What is the specific gravity of the ice?
 

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