How Does a Submerged Object Affect Scale Readings?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a scenario involving a beaker of water on a scale and a metal ball being submerged in the water without touching the sides or bottom. Participants are exploring how the presence of the submerged object affects the scale reading.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to determine whether the scale reading increases, decreases, or remains the same when the ball is submerged. Questions are raised about the change in mass of the water and the implications of buoyant force on the scale reading.

Discussion Status

Some participants have expressed their thoughts on the expected change in scale reading, while others are questioning the underlying assumptions about mass and buoyancy. There is a mix of interpretations regarding the effects of the submerged object and the role of buoyant force.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating concepts related to buoyancy and displacement, with some uncertainty about how these factors influence the scale reading. The discussion reflects a lack of consensus on the effects of the submerged object.

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Homework Statement



A beaker of water rests on a scale. A metal ball is then lowered into the beaker using a string tied to the ball. The ball doesn't touch the sides or bottom of the beaker, and no water spills from the beaker.

Does the reading on the scale increase, decrease, or stay the same?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I think it increases, cause your introducing an object ontop of the water and u are therefore chaning the mass of the water

AM I wrong?
 
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Nellen2222 said:
I think it increases, cause your introducing an object ontop of the water and u are therefore chaning the mass of the water

AM I wrong?
Why would the mass of the water change? What does change about the water?
 
is the object just touches the water and is ontop then I don't know, i guess there is no buoyant force, just the ball displaces some fluid from the top but since displaced fluid = to the mass it makes no difference, is that right?
 
Sure there's buoyant force. Have you ever held a rock or something heavy under water? Although it sinks, it still appears lighter. Whenever an object displaces water, there will be a buoyant force on the object. If the metal ball sinks, it's denser than the water, and the mass of displaced fluid will not equal the mass of the ball. Even if the metal ball were the same density, as the water, there would be a buoyant force.

For example, if the ball weighs 5N, and when it sinks, it displaces 2N of water, the weight of the ball would be 5N-2N=3N underwater. 2N is the buoyant force.

The answer to this question very much has to do with this buoyant force.
 
Last edited:

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