How Is Specific Gravity Calculated for a Submerged Aluminum Cylinder in Alcohol?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the specific gravity of alcohol using an aluminum cylinder submerged in it. The problem involves understanding the relationship between weight, buoyant force, and density in the context of fluid mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the calculation of specific gravity, questioning the initial approach that led to finding the specific gravity of the cylinder instead of the alcohol. There are inquiries about the role of buoyant force and how it relates to the problem.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the correct method to find the specific gravity of the alcohol, emphasizing the importance of buoyant force and its relation to the weight of the displaced fluid. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being discussed, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of the problem's setup, including the weights and volumes provided, and are questioning assumptions about the relationships between the forces and densities involved.

mikefitz
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An aluminum cylinder weighs 1.01 N. When this same cylinder is completely submerged in alcohol, the volume of the displaced alcohol is 3.88 × 10-5 m3. The apparent weight of the cylinder when completely submerged is 0.778 N. What is the specific gravity of the alcohol?

m=W/g
m(cylinder)=.10296 kg
p=m/V
.10296kg/3.88*10^5 => 2653.608kg/m^3 (avg density)
SG= 2653.608/1000=> 2.65

What did I do wrong? Thanks
 
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You found the specific gravity of the cylinder, not the alcohol. Hint: Buoyant force is involved.
 
Doc Al,

So I can find the mass of the alcohol, then the avg density, divide by 1000 and get the alcohol's SG?

Also, how do I relate Buoyant force to this problem? Thanks again
 
The force applied upwards by the alcohol is equal to the weight of the displaced alcohol
 
Last edited:
mikefitz said:
So I can find the mass of the alcohol, then the avg density, divide by 1000 and get the alcohol's SG?
That'll work.

Also, how do I relate Buoyant force to this problem?
The buoyant force equals the weight of the displaced fluid (alcohol). You can find the buoyant force by comparing the actual weight of the cylinder to its apparent weight when submerged in the alcohol.
 

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