Identifying Material Density Using Buoyancy and Volume

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on determining the mass density of a solid object that floats in ethyl alcohol, which has a known density of 806 kg/m³. The object is 68.2% submerged, leading to the conclusion that the density of the object can be calculated using the formula p(object) = p(alcohol) * 0.682. This relationship is derived from the equilibrium condition of buoyancy, where the upward thrust equals the weight of the object. The user expresses confusion due to the lack of similar examples in their textbook.

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  • Understanding of buoyancy principles
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  • Basic knowledge of fluid mechanics
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations
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benzimm86
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A solid object floats on ethyl alcohol, with 68.2% of the object’s volume submerged. Using Table 11.1, identify the substance from which the object is made.

ethyl alcohol has mass density of 806 kg/m
what is the other substances mass density
 
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my problem

the problem i amhaving is that all the examples in my book do not deal with anything of his type. they all have depth amounts, sizes and none of them deal with percents there for i am totally lost please help
 
Figure the volume of the object is V, p=density and g=force of gravity then the upward thrust on the object would be p(alcohol)*0.68V*g whereas the weight of the object is p(object)*V*g, it is in equilibrium since it floats
p(alcohol)*0.682V*g=p(object)*V*g
thus p(object)=p(alcohol)*0.682

I'm not completely sure about this as it is late in Sweden and my brain is all achy on me but I hope it helps :P
 

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