Answering Buoyancy Questions: Are My Answers Correct?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nickname
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Buoyancy
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on buoyancy principles, specifically addressing two scenarios involving water displacement. The initial answers provided were incorrect; when an ice cube melts in water, the water level remains the same due to the principle of displacement. Similarly, when an anchor is thrown overboard, the water level also remains unchanged because the boat's buoyancy is affected only when the anchor is no longer supported by the boat. Understanding these concepts is crucial for accurate interpretations of buoyancy and displacement.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Archimedes' principle
  • Knowledge of density and buoyancy forces
  • Familiarity with the concept of water displacement
  • Basic physics principles related to floating and sinking objects
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Archimedes' principle in detail
  • Explore the relationship between density and buoyancy
  • Research water displacement calculations for various objects
  • Examine real-world applications of buoyancy in engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching buoyancy concepts, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of water displacement and density.

nickname
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
I have answered the following questions, but I will like to know if my answers are correct. Any help will be appreciate it.

1) one ice cube is placed in a glass of water. When the ice cube melts, does the water level rise, fall or stay the same.
my answer: the water level rises.

2) a person is sitting in a boat in a small pond. They throw an anchor overboard so that the anchor sinks to the bottom of the pond. Does the water level in pond rise, fall, or stay the same.
My answer: water level rises

3) Carefully explain your answer to the previous questions:
For question 1: the ice melt and becomes liquid water so there is a greater volume of water (water level rises)

For question 2: Using the buoyancy force as description, an object will sink if it has a higher density than the surrounding fluid, so that its weight is larger than the buoyant force. The anchor is going down and the water level is pushed up.


Are my answers correct?

Thank you and happy holidays!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No I'm afraid that you are wrong in both cases.
Remember that a FLOATING object displaces it's own mass of water.
As the ice cube melts the amount of water it displaces will reduce, by the amount of water it produces.
For the boat question imagine that the anchor is hung over the side of the boat and then released, what happens to the boat when it is no longer supporting the mass of the anchor?
 

Similar threads

Does Throwing an Object Overboard Affect Pond Water Level?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Question about Elastic force and Buoyancy force
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Does Dropping the Anchor Affect the Barge's Water Displacement?
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Buoyant force acting on an inverted glass in water
  • · Replies 79 ·
3
Replies
79
Views
7K
How does the melting of ice affect the oil-water interface in a fluid system?
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
Buoyancy: Will the Object float or sink or remain at a depth?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Is water level the same after an anchor is thrown from a boat?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
11K
How Does Buoyancy Affect a Ball's Movement in Water, Oil, and Moon Gravity?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Oil & Water Problem: Ball Float 50% in Water - Why Does It Rise?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Does Throwing an Anchor Overboard Change the Pond's Water Level?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K