Submarine Sinking: Calculate Volume Needed to Flood

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the volume of water needed to flood a submarine weighing 10,000 kg and having a volume of 12 m³ to initiate sinking in salt water with a density of 1.02 g/cm³. The key equations involved include the gravitational force (Fgravity = mass * g) and the buoyant force, which is determined by the volume of the object and the density of the fluid. The solution requires balancing these forces to find the required flooded volume.

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Homework Statement


A submarine that weighs 10,000kg in air and has a volume of 12m3 floats in a harbor. How much of its volume do we need to flood in order to just begin sinking it in salt water with a density 1.02 g/cm3?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Fgravity = mass of object * g = volume of object * density of object * g
 
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The first step is to determine what forces are acting on the boat: one is gravity, the other is the buoyant force.
 

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