Does Weighing a Floating Block Change the Combined Weight?

[brendan3eb]

5. A block of wood floats in a beaker of water. According to Archimedes’ principle, the block experiences an upward buoyant force. If the beaker with the water and floating block were weighed, would the measured weight be less than the sum of the weights of the individual components? Explain.

Homework Equations

fb = change in pressure * A

The Attempt at a Solution

I am utterly lost

 

[Astronuc]

If the beaker with the water and floating block were weighed,

If block has mass m₁ and beaker and water together have mass m₂, what are the weights?

Now put block in the water. What happens to the masses? The what is the weight of the masses?

 

[mgb_phys]

Don't laugh but my city council announced a proposal to strengthen a canal aquaduct so it could carry heavier barges!