Very different pressure problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a rectangular block of wood floating on water, with a scenario where a dog steps on the block, causing it to submerge deeper. The objective is to find the mass of the dog using principles related to buoyancy and pressure.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using Archimedes' principle to determine the volume of water displaced by the block and how this relates to the mass of the dog. There are attempts to set up equations involving buoyant force and weight, as well as questions about calculating the cross-sectional area of the block.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the problem, including suggestions for calculating the volume of displacement and the relationship between the mass of the water displaced and the mass of the dog. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, with no explicit consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of the problem statement and are questioning various assumptions related to the setup, such as the density of water and the dimensions of the block.

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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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