Unlocking the Mystery: Solving a Brain Teaser with Water and Weight

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In summary, the conversation is discussing a brain teaser involving a water column with a square base and a height of 10 meters. The goal is to determine the amount of force needed to push a styrofoam cube 1 meter up in the column, with no friction and a seal preventing water from flowing out. After some discussion, it is clarified that the seal is meant to prevent water from leaking out, allowing the water level to remain constant.
  • #1
alibaba2
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a little brain teaser..:))

hi ...i'm having a hard time figuring out this one. see attachment pic. a water coluumn, square based tube ( 1 x 1 meters ) - height 10 meters. what will be the amount for the red weight at one side of the see-saw in order to push a styrofoam cube sized( 1x1x1meters=1 cubic meter) . the force must be sufficient to push the styrofoam inside the water column 1 meter up (so it will be at 9 meters depth).
theoretically there is no friction, and there is a seal blocking the water from flowing down and out of the pipe.

ideas?
thanks
 

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  • #2


alibaba2 said:
the force must be sufficient to push the styrofoam inside the water column 1 meter up (so it will be at 9 meters depth).
theoretically there is no friction, and there is a seal blocking the water from flowing down and out of the pipe.

I don't get this one: If there is a frictionless seal between the styrofoam and the cylinder, then you can't push the foam "into" the water; the foam will act like a piston and you'll simply lift the entire column
 
  • #3


ok, forget the frictionless seal detail, what i mena is there is no loss of water...i.e. all water leaked out below is compensated above, so water level remains constant.
thanks
 

1. How does water and weight play a role in solving a brain teaser?

The density and weight of water can be manipulated to help solve brain teasers involving balancing objects or predicting which object will float or sink.

2. What is the science behind using water and weight in brain teasers?

Water is denser than air, so objects will displace more water and appear heavier when submerged. This can help determine the weight and balance of objects in a brain teaser.

3. Can water and weight be used to solve any type of brain teaser?

While it may not be applicable to all brain teasers, using water and weight can be a useful tool in solving many puzzles and riddles that involve balancing or predicting the weight of objects.

4. Are there any other factors to consider when using water and weight in brain teasers?

In addition to density and weight, other factors such as surface tension and buoyancy can also play a role in solving brain teasers involving water and weight.

5. Can using water and weight in brain teasers be applied to other real-world problems?

Yes, understanding the principles of density and weight can be useful in solving problems in various fields such as engineering and physics.

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