Buoyancy lab for my physics class

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics lab focused on buoyancy, specifically calculating the weight of water displaced by a 500-g mass placed in a cup of water. The original poster mentions having the volume of displaced water as 59.0 ml and a buoyant force of 0.56 N, leading to confusion about the relationship between volume and force.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to clarify whether buoyant force can be directly equated to the volume of water displaced and questions the validity of converting volume to force. Participants raise questions about the specifics of the volume measurement and its implications for buoyancy calculations.

Discussion Status

Participants have provided clarifications regarding the nature of volume and force units, with one participant emphasizing that volume cannot be converted to force. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationship between the displaced volume and the weight of the water, with some guidance offered on how to calculate the weight of the displaced water based on its volume and density.

Contextual Notes

The original poster's understanding of buoyant force and the relationship to displaced water is under scrutiny, highlighting the need for clarity on the definitions and calculations involved in buoyancy. There is also a potential ambiguity regarding the measurement of volume and its relevance to the problem.

Skipperchrldr
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I'm trying to do a lab for my physics class. It wants me to calculate the weight of the water displaced when I put a 500-g mass in a cup of water. I know the volume which is 59.0 ml. And I also know that the Buoyant force i s 0.56 N. I thought that the Buoyant force equals the volume of the water displaced but my friend told me that I have to convert the volume (59.0 ml) to Newtons. I was wondering which one of us was right and if my friend was right i was wondering how to convert ml to Newtons.
 
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You cannot convert units of volume (mL) to units of force (Newtons). They are two entirely different kinds of units.

What do you mean "I know the volume which is 59.0 ml?" Do you mean the volume of the mass is 59 mL, or the volume of the cup of 59 mL, or what?

- Warren
 
The volume of the water displaced by the 500-g mass is 59.0 ml
 
If a 59.0 ml. object (of any density greater than that of water) is dropped into water, then it displaces 59.0 ml of water (of course!).

The weight of that water is 59.0 ml * density of water in kg. per ml times 9.8 m/s2 Newtons.
 
Thanks SO much guys. That helped SOOOO much!
 
Last edited:

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