Calculating the Height Difference of a Loaded Barge - Urgent

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The discussion revolves around calculating the height difference in waterline between an empty and a loaded barge using Archimedes' principle. The original poster seeks help for an exam question involving a barge of mass m and area A loaded with sand of mass M. Participants clarify that the buoyant force equals the weight of water displaced, leading to the equations for initial and final heights (H1 and H2). The correct height difference is derived as H2 - H1 = m / (density * A), confirming that the mass of the sand (M) should be included in the calculations. It is emphasized that the new waterline is higher due to the added weight, which is a crucial detail in the answer.
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Height of the loaded barge - urgent

Hi

Got a question to prepare for my exams tomorow.

A barge of mass m and area A is loaded with sand of mass M. What is the difference in water line between the empty and the loaded barge.

Many thanks for any reply...


Regards.
 
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Height of the loaded barge - urgent

Hi

Got a question to prepare for my exams tomorow.

A barge of mass m and area A is loaded with sand of mass M. What is the difference in water line between the empty and the loaded barge.

Many thanks for any reply...


Regards.
 
You're not going to get an answer faster by posting in multiple forums.
 
HINT: The buoyant force equals the weight of water displaced.
 
Sorry, this topic really is difficult for me - what would be the solution?

thanks a lot for the help
 
Look up Archimedes' principle and buoyant force. (Tide gave you the big hint.)
 
Please give the OP the opportunity to do his own work.
 
opee5230 said:
Archimedes: (density of water)*(initial hight)*A*g = m*g
...

We try not to do the work wholesale for the poster.
 
Density * H1* A = m => H1 = m /(density*A)
Density * H2 *A = m+ M => H2 = (m+M)/(density*A)

hence
H2 - H1 = height difference = m / (density *A)

is this correct?
 
  • #10
matthew77ask said:
Density * H1* A = m => H1 = m /(density*A)
Density * H2 *A = m+ M => H2 = (m+M)/(density*A)

hence
H2 - H1 = height difference = m / (density *A)

is this correct?

That should be a big "M" (mass of sand) in the answer right? If so, it's correct.

BTW, remember to state that the new waterline (with sand) is higher up the barge than the old one, even if it seems obvious. Otherwise the answer isn't complete.
 
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