Fluids Problem help invovling floating

In summary, a 5.6 cm diameter racquetball with a mass of 42 g is being used to make a boat for American pennies made after 1982. The mass and volume of the pennies are 2.5 g and 0.36 cm3, respectively. Knowing that the density of water is 1000 kg/m3, the question is asking for the number of pennies that can be placed in the boat without sinking it. The equation FB = mobjectg is applicable, but simply equating densities does not give the correct answer. Other methods must be used to find the buoyant force on the racquetball when it is submerged to half its diameter.
  • #1
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Homework Statement


A racquetball with a diameter of 5.6 cm and a mass of 42 g is cut in half to make a boat for American pennies made after 1982. The mass and volume of an American penny made after 1982 are 2.5 g and 0.36 cm3. How many pennies can be placed in the racquetball boat without sinking it? (The density of water is 1000 kg/m3.)



Homework Equations


FB = mobjectg


The Attempt at a Solution


I've tried finding the densities of both objects and equating it to 1000 to find the number of pennies, but it didn't work. What else should I do?
 
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  • #2
What's the buoyant force on a racquetball submerged to half its diameter?
 

1. What is the principle behind objects floating in fluids?

The principle behind objects floating in fluids is known as Archimedes' principle. This states that the upward buoyant force on an object immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid that the object displaces.

2. How do you calculate the buoyant force on an object?

To calculate the buoyant force on an object, you need to know the density of the fluid it is immersed in, the volume of the object, and the acceleration due to gravity. The formula is: Buoyant force = (density of fluid) x (volume of object) x (acceleration due to gravity).

3. What factors affect an object's buoyancy?

The main factors that affect an object's buoyancy are its density, volume, and shape. Objects with lower densities and larger volumes tend to be more buoyant. The shape of the object can also affect its buoyancy, with objects that are more streamlined or have a larger surface area experiencing greater buoyant forces.

4. How can I determine if an object will float or sink in a fluid?

If the weight of an object is greater than the buoyant force acting on it, the object will sink. If the weight is less than the buoyant force, the object will float. This can be determined by comparing the density of the object to the density of the fluid it is immersed in.

5. How does the density of an object affect its ability to float?

The density of an object plays a significant role in its ability to float. Objects with higher densities will sink in fluids with lower densities, while objects with lower densities will float. This is because an object's density determines its overall weight, and if the weight is greater than the buoyant force, the object will sink.

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