Calculating Volume and Mass of Iron Block Using Equal-Arm Balance | Scales

  • Thread starter tandoorichicken
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Work
Thanks for checking!In summary, a block of iron is suspended from one end of an equal-arm balance by a thin wire. To balance the scales, 2.35 kg are needed on the scale pan at the other end. The density of iron is 7.87 * 10^3 kg/m^3. Using this, the volume of the block is calculated to be 299 cm^3. When a beaker of water is placed so that the iron block is submerged but not touching the bottom, 2.05 kg is now necessary to balance the scales. This is because the volume of the displaced water is equal to the mass of the water in grams.
  • #1
tandoorichicken
245
0
A block of iron is suspended from one end of an equal-arm balance by a thin wire. To balance the scales, 2.35 kg are needed on the scale pan at the other end.
(a) What is the vloume of the block?
(b) Next a beaker of water is placed so that the iron block is submerged in the beaker but not touching the bottom. What mass is now necessary to balance the scales?

What I did:
density of iron = 7.87 * 10^3 kg/m^3
a) 2.35/[itex] \rho_{\text{iron}} [/itex] = V = 299 cm^3
b) V = V of displaced water = m of water in grams
2.35 kg - 299 g = 2.05 kg
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Looks good to me.
 
  • #3
of water

Your calculations for the volume and mass are correct. However, it is important to note that the density of iron may vary depending on its purity and temperature. Additionally, it is more common to use units of kilograms or grams for mass and cubic meters or centimeters for volume in scientific measurements. Therefore, the volume of the iron block can also be expressed as 0.000299 m^3 or 299 cm^3, and the mass of the water needed to balance the scales can be written as 2.05 kg or 2050 g.
 

What are scales used for?

Scales are used to accurately measure the weight or mass of an object.

How do scales work?

Scales work by using a spring, balance, or load cell to measure the force exerted by an object and then converting that force into a weight or mass measurement.

What types of scales are there?

There are several types of scales including digital scales, analog scales, beam scales, and platform scales. Each type has its own method of measurement and is used for different purposes.

Do scales need to be calibrated?

Yes, scales should be calibrated periodically to ensure accurate measurements. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and wear and tear can affect the accuracy of a scale.

Can scales measure anything other than weight?

Yes, there are scales that can measure other physical properties such as body fat percentage, blood pressure, or even food portions. These specialized scales use different methods of measurement and may not be suitable for general weight measurement.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
23
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
9K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
25
Views
5K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
2K
Back
Top