Density of bar submerged in water

[Roodles01]

Homework Statement

A bar suspended in air weighs 1.75 N
The same bar weigs only 1.4 N when suspended in water.
Calculate;
a. upthrust
b. density of the bar

Homework Equations

D = m/v
F = m*a

The Attempt at a Solution

a[/B].
Upthrust is 1.75 N - 1.4 N = 0.35 N

b.
Assuming density of water is 1x10³ kg m^-3
and weight of bar displaces that amount of water.
So
volume 1.75 N of water = 1.75 N / (1x10³ * g) = 1.78 m³

Density of bar = m/v = 1.75 N / 1.78 m³ = 0.98 N m^-3

which has to be wrong, surely, or the bar would float . . .
Help!
Thank you.

 

[Dr. Courtney]

Remember the difference between weight and mass.

 

[SteamKing]

Homework Statement

A bar suspended in air weighs 1.75 N
The same bar weigs only 1.4 N when suspended in water.
Calculate;
a. upthrust
b. density of the bar

Homework Equations

D = m/v
F = m*a

The Attempt at a Solution

a[/B].
Upthrust is 1.75 N - 1.4 N = 0.35 N

b.
Assuming density of water is 1x10³ kg m^-3
and weight of bar displaces that amount of water.
So
volume 1.75 N of water = 1.75 N / (1x10³ * g) = 1.78 m³

It's not clear how you got 1.75 N / (9810) = 1.78 m³

Your calculator must have suffered a nervous breakdown.

Remember, a cubic meter of water weighs a tonne (1000 kg), literally.

Density of bar = m/v = 1.75 N / 1.78 m³ = 0.98 N m^-3

which has to be wrong, surely, or the bar would float . . .
Help!
Thank you.

As Dr. Courtney pointed out, density is mass divided by volume, not weight divided by volume. You can't use Newtons and kilograms interchangeably.

 

[PhanthomJay]

Homework Statement

A bar suspended in air weighs 1.75 N
The same bar weigs only 1.4 N when suspended in water.
Calculate;
a. upthrust
b. density of the bar

Homework Equations

D = m/v
F = m*a

The Attempt at a Solution

a[/B].
Upthrust is 1.75 N - 1.4 N = 0.35 N

yes, and this called the buoyant force

b.
Assuming density of water is 1x10³ kg m^-3
and weight of bar displaces that amount of water
So
volume 1.75 N of water = 1.75 N / (1x10³ * g) = 1.78 m³

you are not applying Archimedes Principle correctly. The upward thrust or buoyant force is equal to the weight of water displaced. That weight of displaced water is not 1.75 N.