Weight of ball/water/cylinder system as the ball falls

In summary, when a steel ball is dropped into a cylinder filled with water, the weight on the scale will increase immediately when the ball is fully submerged and will increase again when it hits the bottom. This is due to the additional weight of the ball and the water it displaces. The normal force from the bottom of the cylinder may change when the ball hits it, but this does not affect the total weight of the system as the force of gravity and the buoyant force remain constant.
  • #1
jordanstreet
7
0

Homework Statement



So you have a cylinder filled with water sitting on a scale. You take a steel ball and drop it in the water. So does the weight on the scale:

1)Immediately change and stay constant including when the ball comes to rest on the bottom
2)Increase immediately when the ball is fully submerged and then increase again when it hits the bottom.
3)Some thing else?

Homework Equations



F=MA
Fb=Weight of water displaced

The Attempt at a Solution



I'm thinking that the weight stays constant the whole once its fully submerged.
 
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  • #2
Try to think in terms of force acting on the ball.

The ball is moving downward, and then when it hits the water, what happens?

The ball is moving downward in the water, and then when it strikes the bottom, what happens?
 
  • #3
The ball starts fully submerged.

In terms of the cylinder system the total weight of the ball + water + cylinder acts downward the whole time. Does the normal force from the bottom of the cylinder change when the ball hits it? If so wouldn't that change the weight of the whole system since gravity and buoyant force are the same the whole time for the ball?
 

What factors affect the weight of a ball/water/cylinder system as the ball falls?

The weight of a ball/water/cylinder system as the ball falls is affected by several factors, including the mass of the ball, the volume of water in the cylinder, and the acceleration due to gravity. Other factors, such as air resistance and the shape of the ball, may also have an impact on the weight of the system.

Why does the weight of the system change as the ball falls?

The weight of the system changes as the ball falls because the force of gravity is acting on the ball, causing it to accelerate towards the ground. This acceleration increases the weight of the system, as the ball is gaining momentum and therefore experiencing a greater force from gravity.

How does the weight of the system compare to the weight of the individual components?

The weight of the system will always be greater than the weight of the individual components, as the weight of the system includes the weight of the ball, water, and cylinder, whereas the weight of the individual components only includes their own masses. However, the weight of the system may change depending on the position and motion of the ball, as well as any external forces acting on the system.

Does the weight of the system change if the ball falls in a vacuum?

Yes, the weight of the system will change if the ball falls in a vacuum. In a vacuum, there is no air resistance, which means that the ball will fall with a constant acceleration due to gravity. This means that the weight of the system will increase at a constant rate as the ball falls, rather than changing based on other factors such as air resistance.

How can the weight of the system be calculated?

The weight of the system can be calculated using the formula W = mg, where W is the weight, m is the mass of the system, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. The mass of the system can be found by adding together the masses of the ball, water, and cylinder. The acceleration due to gravity is typically given as 9.8 m/s^2 on Earth, but may vary depending on the location and altitude.

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