Calculate mass of tank floating in freshwater

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the mass of a rectangular tank floating in freshwater, specifically focusing on the relationship between the tank's mass, the water it contains, and the buoyant force acting on it. The context includes a homework problem involving theoretical and mathematical reasoning.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the total mass of the tank and water combined to be 45kg using the formula for buoyant force.
  • Another participant suggests that the problem may require finding the mass of the tank alone, excluding the water.
  • There is confusion regarding the relationship between the mass of the tank and the mass of the water, with one participant questioning how the tank can weigh less than the water it contains.
  • One participant proposes using the buoyant force to determine the mass of the tank by dividing the buoyant force by gravitational acceleration.
  • A later reply presents a calculation that arrives at a mass of 39kg for the tank after accounting for the mass of the water.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of the problem, particularly regarding whether to include the mass of the water in the calculation of the tank's mass. There is no consensus on the correct approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the formulas used and the assumptions regarding the mass of the tank versus the mass of the water. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of the problem's requirements.

Parsifal1
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Homework Statement


A rectangular tank contains 6L of freshwater, has a floor area of 0.3m^2 and floats upright in freshwater. If the bottom of the tank is 150mm below the surface of the water, calculate the mass of the tank.

Homework Equations


F=P*A=pgAh

The Attempt at a Solution


1000*9.81*0.3*0.15=441.54N 441.45/9.81=45kg
 
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Parsifal1 said:
A rectangular tank contains 6L of freshwater... calculate the mass of the tank.
I think you're expected to find the mass of just the tank( excluding the water).
 
billy_joule said:
I think you're expected to find the mass of just the tank( excluding the water).
That's what I don't understand, 6L=6Kg, should it be mass=0.03*1000=mass*density?
 
You've found the mass of the tank and water in post #1; 45kg.
If there's 6kg of water in the tank, how much does just the tank weigh?
 
billy_joule said:
You've found the mass of the tank and water in post #1; 45kg.
If there's 6kg of water in the tank, how much does just the tank weigh?
-15Kg? How can the mass of the tank and the water weigh less than the water? Am I using the right formula for the mass of the tank+water?
 
Should I do 0.3*0.15*1000=P=pyh=45 Then take 45 from 60? I get the wrong answer by doing that? :/
 
If the weight of the water displace=buoyant force, then is the mass of the tank the buoyant force over 9.81? As the mass of the object is equal to the mass of water displaced.
 
I found the answer:

density=mass/volume
mass=density*volume
1000*(0.3*0.15)=45
45-6=39Kg

Thanks for the help.
 

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