Very different pressure problem

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A rectangular block of wood with a mass of 316 kg floats in water, initially displacing 14.1 cm and then 17.5 cm when a dog steps on it. The problem involves applying Archimedes' principle to determine the mass of the dog based on the change in water displacement. The relevant equations include the buoyant force and the relationship between weight and displaced volume. The cross-sectional area of the block is calculated to be approximately 2.24 m², which aids in solving for the dog's mass. The discussion emphasizes understanding the principles of buoyancy and displacement in fluid mechanics.
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Homework Statement



A rectangular block of wood (M = 316 kg) floats on a calm fresh water lake with d_{o} = 14.1 cm below the water. When a dog steps on the block, the block is pushed downward so that now it floads with d = 17.5 cm beneath the water. Find the mass of the dog.

Homework Equations



I would assume that I would need to use these equations:

P_{2} = P_{1} + \rho hg
F_{Buoyant} = F_{masses}

The Attempt at a Solution



Very hard problem here. I would assume that the approach is to write out this form and find the mass of the dog...

w_{dog} + w_{box} = \rho_{fluid} v_{box}g

Another expressions I thought of are:

P_{2} = 1.013 * 10^{5} + \rho_{mass} * 14.1 * 10^{-2} * 9.81
P_{3} = 1.013 * 10^{5} + \rho_{mass} * 17.5 * 10^{-2} * 9.81 + \rho_{dog} * 17.5 * 10^{-2} * 9.81

Stuck with the problem here. Don't know where to start.
 
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This is an Archemides principle problem. If the block has a mass of 316 kg, what volume of water is displaced by the block? Knowing the depth of the portion of the block below the water surface and the volume of water displaced, what is the cross sectional area of the block? What is the change in displaced water volume when the dog gets on the block? How much mass of water does this correspond to? What is the mass of the dog?
 
Chestermiller said:
This is an Archemides principle problem. If the block has a mass of 316 kg, what volume of water is displaced by the block? Knowing the depth of the portion of the block below the water surface and the volume of water displaced, what is the cross sectional area of the block? What is the change in displaced water volume when the dog gets on the block? How much mass of water does this correspond to? What is the mass of the dog?

I know that the density of the fresh water is 1,000 kg/m³. Then, do I set up the expression like this?

\rho_{fluid} v_{displacement}g = m_{block}g

That is the expression without the dog pushing the block down. I have very hard time solving the problem.
 
vdisplacement = d0 times what?
 
Chestermiller said:
vdisplacement = d0 times what?

I guess you didn't know.

It's actually the density * volume of displacement * gravity
 
If you thought that it's the pressure equation, then it's...

P_{0} + \rho hg = P_{1}

h is the height, and I multiplied that by the density and the gravity. I also included the pressure on the left side.

I am not quite sure what direction you are leading me to.
 
vdisplacement= d0A

where A is the cross sectional area of the block. This may help you solve the problem with the dog, although it isn't absolutely necessary to get a solution. So what is the cross sectional area of the block that you calculate?
 
Ah! Thanks for letting me know that. I am sorry that I didn't see this. I thought something else of what you are trying to show.

Then, it's:

\rho_{fluid} d_{0}A_{block}g = m_{block}g

After solving for the cross-sectional area of the block, I substitute that to this equation:

\rho_{fluid} dA_{block}g = m_{block}g + m_{dog}g

Not sure if it's right here. The value of cross-sectional area I have is approximately 2.24 m².
 
Actually, I'm correct. Thanks for help!
 
  • #10
My pleasure. Nice job!
 

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