Research for a book - Would it float question

[mlguts]

It has been many years since my studies in physics and engineering in college. My wife is writing a novel, and had a question that I struggled to answer.

If there were a container (empty) constructed of steel with a mass of 8000lbs, with dimensions of 40ft/8ft/8ft (assume inner dimensions); would it float in the ocean or sink to the bottem. The container is air tight and sealed.

Thank you in advance for any thoughts!

Michael

 

[berkeman]

It has been many years since my studies in physics and engineering in college. My wife is writing a novel, and had a question that I struggled to answer.

If there were a container (empty) constructed of steel with a mass of 8000lbs, with dimensions of 40ft/8ft/8ft (assume inner dimensions); would it float in the ocean or sink to the bottem. The container is air tight and sealed.

Thank you in advance for any thoughts!

Michael

Welcome to the PF, Michael. If you had a volume of water equivalent in size to that container, how much would that water weigh? More or less than the 8000lbs?

 

[mlguts]

40*8*8 = 2560 cu ft
~62 lbs/cu ft
160,000 lbs of water
Therefore float.

And could hold around 152,000 lbs of cargo before sinking?

Is that correct?

 

[berkeman]

40*8*8 = 2560 cu ft
~62 lbs/cu ft
160,000 lbs of water
Therefore float.

And could hold around 152,000 lbs of cargo before sinking?

Is that correct?

Looks basically correct. Remember about the cargo, though, that the vessel has to be strong enough to hold the load. But otherwise, it looks correct.

BTW, the floating thing is called Archimedes Principle. Here's more reading if you're interested:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes_principle

.

 

[mlguts]

Thanks! It is all starting to come back now :) I appreciate the help!

Michael

 

[Danger]

My wife is writing a novel

Let us know if she gets published. I wouldn't mind reading it.

 

[mlguts]

Will do!