Hydrostatic Pressure of Ball Floating in Liquid

In summary, the conversation discusses the relationship between the density of an object floating in a liquid and the calculation of pressure at different points. It is understood that the density of the ball is important in determining pressure, and the equation for pressure can be derived by integrating with a given initial condition. However, there is confusion about how the density of the liquid affects the equation and if it is relevant at all. It is mentioned that the pressure at the bottom of the floating ball is the same for all points at the same distance under the surface. The conversation ends with a request for clarification on how the density of the liquid relates to the hydrostatic equation.
  • #1
Homework Statement
An object floats in liquid. The depth of the object below the surface is d and its height above the water is h. The density of the ball is p_b and the density of the liquid is p_liq. What is the pressure at the bottom of the object? The pressure above the water is P_atm.
Relevant Equations
hydrostatic equation: dP/dz = -pg
Let's say there's an object floating in liquid. The depth of the object below the surface is 𝑑 and its height above the water is β„Ž. The density of the ball is 𝑝𝑏 and the density of the liquid is 𝑝𝐿. The pressure above the water is π‘ƒπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘š.

I understand this situation when only the density of the ball matters; you integrate to get P(z) = 𝑝𝑏𝑔𝑧 + C, and given the initial condition P(d) = π‘ƒπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘š. (pressure at water-air interface is atmospheric), C = π‘ƒπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘š - 𝑝𝑏𝑔𝑑 , so P(z) = 𝑝𝑏𝑔𝑧 + π‘ƒπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘š - 𝑝𝑏𝑔𝑑

What I am confused about is how to find the pressure given the influence of the density of the liquid. I don't really understand why or how the density of the liquid affects the equation for pressure at all, besides that in order for the object to be floating, 𝑝𝑏< 𝑝𝐿. It seems like since you're only interested in the ball, so the only distance that matters is the distance of the ball under the water, and the only density relevant there would be the one of the ball. Or do you take the ratio of the densities? Is it their difference? Why does the liquid matter at all?
 
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  • #2
Welcome!
I believe that the pressure at the bottom of the floating ball is the same for all the points located along a horizontal line at a d distance under the surface of the liquid.
 
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  • #3
Lnewqban said:
Welcome!
I believe that the pressure at the bottom of the floating ball is the same for all the points located along a horizontal line at a d distance under the surface of the liquid.
Hey, thanks! That part makes sense! But how does the density of the liquid relate to the density of the liquid in the hydrostatic equation?
 

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