Buoyancy to find mass, density and force to submerge

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a plastic cube floating in a cylindrical container filled with sea water. Participants are tasked with finding the mass and density of the cube, as well as the additional force required to submerge it completely. The context includes considerations of buoyancy and volume displacement.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are exploring how to calculate the volume of water displaced and questioning the relevance of the container's diameter in this context. There is discussion about whether to use the volume of water risen or the submerged volume of the cube. Some participants suggest calculating the volume of water displaced first to find the mass and density of the cube.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the relationship between the submerged volume of the cube and the displaced water. There are multiple interpretations being explored regarding the calculations needed for mass and density, and some guidance has been offered on the relationship between the volumes involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the lack of information about the cube's density, which complicates their ability to determine the submerged volume. The problem also involves specific measurements and constraints related to the geometry of the container and the cube.

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Homework Statement


A plastic cube, 200mm x 200mm x 200mm, is left in a cylindrical container that has a diameter of 400mm holding sea water, density 1024kg/m^3. The level in the container increases by 30mm as the block floats.
i) Find the mass and density of the cube.
ii) Find the extra downward force needed to completely submerge the cube.

Homework Equations


V(water displaced)
p = m/v

The Attempt at a Solution


i) For the mass, I'm having trouble determining the V(water displaced). Is it 200x200x30mm or the volume of water risen - area of 400mm diameter x 30mm? I leaning towards the former, but then what is the point of mentioning the container diameter?
ii) Probably well wrong here, but is that: pgV(water displaced) - pgV(cube) = extra Force?
 
Last edited:
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If the water were not displaced, then the cube would just be on its surface. But when water does get displaced, it goes up, so it is contained between the submerged part of the cube and the container walls.
 
So is it the volume of water risen (Area of 400mm diameter x 30mm) minus 200x200xV(cube submerged)? Problem is, how do I know the V(cube submerged) if I don't have its density?

I'm thinking, calculate V(water displaced) -> calculate mass -> get density.

Thanks voko
 
The cylindrical volume at the high water mark is the sum of the original water volume and the submerged part of the cube.
 

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