Calculate Density of Wood & Oil: Fluids & Density Homework

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the density of a block of wood and oil based on its buoyancy in water and oil. The block of wood has a volume V, with 0.67V submerged in water and 0.88V submerged in oil. Using the formula for buoyant force, FB = pVg, participants derive the density of the wood as 0.67 g/cm³ and the density of the oil as 0.75 g/cm³. The problem emphasizes the relationship between buoyancy and density in fluid mechanics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of buoyant force and Archimedes' principle
  • Familiarity with fluid density calculations
  • Basic knowledge of physics equations involving gravity (g = 9.81 m/s²)
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations for solving density
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  • Learn about fluid mechanics and buoyancy calculations
  • Explore density calculations for various materials
  • Investigate the properties of different fluids, including oil and water
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Students in physics or engineering courses, educators teaching fluid mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding buoyancy and density calculations in real-world applications.

scarne92
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Homework Statement



A block of wood with volume V floats in water with 0.67V submerged. In oil the block floats with 0.88V of its volume submerged.
(a) Find the density of the wood.


g/cm3

(b) Find the density of the oil.


g/cm3

I honestly have no idea where to begin. I started off with FB = pVg. rearranged it to p = FB/Vg. Plugged in p = Fb/(0.67V)(9.81). That's all the further I got. We won't even get to this in lecture but the prof still insists we do this webassign.
 
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Hint: If the density of the block of wood exactly equals to that of water and is careflully placed in the water, what part of the wood would be under water?
 
wow. that was so easy I almost feel embarrassed now. Thanks for the help though
 

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