How to Solve a Buoyancy Problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a buoyancy problem involving a crown weighed in air and submerged in water. The buoyant force is calculated as 0.98 N, leading to a volume of 0.0001 m^3 (or 0.1 cm^3) for the crown. The density of the crown is determined to be 8000 kg/m^3, which is significantly lower than the density of gold, confirmed to be around 19,300 kg/m^3. Participants clarify that while the original method to find density is correct, a simpler approach exists that does not require the density of the liquid. The conversation concludes with appreciation for the collaborative effort in solving the problem.
new324
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Buoyancy problem, please check my work :)

Can you check my work here?

A crown is weighed in air and submerged in water. The scale reads 7.84 N in air and 6.86 N in water.
find (a) the buoyant force (b) the volume of the crown (c) the density of the crown (d) is the crown made of gold?

(a) 7.84-6.86=.98 N
(b) Bouyant force=Volume(submerged object)*density(liquid) *gravity
so .98=v*1000*9.8 V=.0001 m^3 (=.1 cm^3)
(c) Density Object= (Weight object/Bouyant Force)*Density Liquid
p=(7.84/.98)1000 ;p=8000 kg/m^3
(d) I'm not sure the density of gold, I think its more than double this density though. So No, the crown is not made of Gold.

Thanks for any help!
 
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Looks good to me! :smile:

Quick search shows that "A cubic centimetre of gold will weighs 19.3 grams" so that makes the gold density 19,300 kg/m3.

By the way, you don't have to use this equation to find the object density:

\rho _o = \frac{W_o}{B}\rho _l

It's correct but the dependency on the density of the liquid is not needed, since:

B\rho _o = W_o\rho _l

\rho _lv_og\rho _o = m_og\rho _l

So the liquid density cancels and you get:

v_o\rho _o = m_o

Which is (amazingly :-p) exactly the defintion of mass density. :smile: You have the object's mass, since you know its weight in air.
 
Last edited:
Looks good to me.
new324 said:
(a) 7.84-6.86=.98 N
Right.
(b) Bouyant force=Volume(submerged object)*density(liquid) *gravity
so .98=v*1000*9.8 V=.0001 m^3 (=.1 cm^3)
Right. (But 1 m^3 = 1,000,000 cm^3)
(c) Density Object= (Weight object/Bouyant Force)*Density Liquid
p=(7.84/.98)1000 ;p=8000 kg/m^3
Right. Though I'm used to the simpler "Density = Mass/Volume", what you've done is equivalent.
(d) I'm not sure the density of gold, I think its more than double this density though. So No, the crown is not made of Gold.
Right. The density of gold is about 19,300 Kg/m^3

Note: Chen, you beat me again! :mad:
 
Tsk tsk. :wink:
 
Chen said:
Tsk tsk. :wink:
I'm getting old and slow, I guess. :biggrin:
 
We both even said "Looks good to me". :-p

mmmkay, enough monkey business now, got to get back to studying Bible again. :frown:
 
Awesome. Thanks a lot Chen and Doc Al. It's a great thing when people compete over helping you first. Haha. :biggrin: Thanks again.
 

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