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

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the volume and mass of an iron block using an equal-arm balance. The density of iron is established as 7.87 x 103 kg/m3. The volume of the iron block is calculated to be 299 cm3, derived from the equation V = mass/density, where 2.35 kg is the mass needed to balance the scales. When the block is submerged in water, the mass required to maintain balance shifts to 2.05 kg, accounting for the displaced water volume.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of density and its calculation
  • Familiarity with equal-arm balance principles
  • Knowledge of volume displacement in fluids
  • Basic unit conversions between grams and kilograms
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  • Study the principles of buoyancy and Archimedes' principle
  • Learn about the effects of temperature and purity on material density
  • Explore advanced techniques for measuring mass and volume in laboratory settings
  • Investigate the use of digital scales for precise measurements
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, laboratory technicians, and anyone involved in material science or engineering who needs to understand the principles of mass and volume measurement using balances.

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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
 
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Looks good to me.
 
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.
 

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