Question about Specific Gravity.

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that when the specific gravity of an object is equal to 1, it will remain suspended at any depth in water, provided it is fully immersed. This occurs because the buoyant force exerted by the water equals the weight of the object, resulting in no net force. The conversation also highlights that the density of water can vary slightly with temperature and pressure, which can affect the specific gravity calculations. For precise measurements, it is essential to reference standard temperature and pressure conditions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of specific gravity and its calculation
  • Knowledge of buoyancy principles
  • Familiarity with density variations in water
  • Basic grasp of temperature and pressure effects on physical properties
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the relationship between specific gravity and buoyancy
  • Explore the effects of temperature and pressure on water density
  • Study the principles of hydrostatics and fluid mechanics
  • Read the Wikipedia article on specific gravity for in-depth knowledge
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Students in physics, engineers working with fluid dynamics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of buoyancy and specific gravity.

Suarden
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I know that if the specific gravity is less than 1, it will float and if it is greater than 1 it will sink. Now here's the question, if the specific gravity is equal to 1, what will happen? Please I need your explanations. Thank you so much!
 
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The object will stay at whatever depth it's placed - as long as it's totally immersed - because the upthrust is equal to the weight (no net force). If some of it is above the surface, it will sink (and then continue moving downwards until the Kinetic Energy is dispersed due to drag).
 
So, the specific gravity of a thing is the ratio of the density of that thing over the density of water.

The buoyant force from water is equal to the weight of the displaced water.
If the density of your object is the same as the surrounding water, then the buoyant force of the water pushing on the object will cancel with the weight of the object, giving you no net force.

In this case, (as has been said) the object will stay put wherever underwater you place it.

However, the density of water is not contant, it changes (very slightly) with temperature and pressure.

In order to be exactly certain that the net force will be precisely zero, one needs to know the standard temperature and pressure the specific gravity is based on. Wikipedia has an excellent article on the subject.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_gravity
 

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