SUMMARY
A cube of an unknown material floats in mercury, with 43% of its volume above the surface and 57% submerged. The density of mercury is established at 13,594 kg/m³. The cube's density is calculated to be 57% of the density of mercury, resulting in a density of approximately 7,748.58 kg/m³. This conclusion is drawn from the principle of buoyancy, where the weight of the displaced mercury equals the weight of the cube.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of buoyancy principles
- Knowledge of density calculations
- Familiarity with the equation for weight and volume (mg = pVg)
- Basic grasp of fluid mechanics
NEXT STEPS
- Study Archimedes' principle in detail
- Learn about the properties of different fluids, specifically mercury
- Explore density calculations for various materials
- Investigate applications of buoyancy in engineering and design
USEFUL FOR
Students in physics or engineering, educators teaching fluid mechanics, and anyone interested in the principles of buoyancy and density calculations.