What is the mass of a floating block of wood in oil and water?

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around calculating the mass of a cubical block of wood floating at the interface between oil and water. The block measures 10 cm on each side, with its lower surface submerged 2 cm in water and 8 cm in oil. Given the densities of oil (0.6 g/cm³) and water (1.00 g/cm³), the mass can be calculated using the buoyancy principle, specifically the formula: mass = (density)(volume). The correct approach involves considering the volume of the block submerged in both fluids to determine its overall mass accurately.

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laurenh19
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i have a physics problem about buoyancy and could really use some help!
a cubical block of wood 10cm on a side, floats at the interface between oil and water with the lower surface 2cm below the interface. the density of oil is 0.6 g/cm^3 and the density of water is 1.00g/cm^3. what is the mass of the block?
it also has a picture that shows that the container is filled with 10cm of oil on top of 10 cm of water.


force=(density)(volume)(gravity)


i have no idea where to even begin!
 
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If half the volume of the block was below the boundary (5cm below) the block would have a density half way between that of oil and water (i.e 0.8 g/cm^3). From the density you could easily calculate the mass, try using the same argument for the numbers in your question.
 
i'm confused on why they would say that the container is 10cm full with oil and 10 cm full with water...do i have to add that into my calculations somewhere?

so far I've come up with

mass=(0.6g/cm3)(8cm)+(1.00g/cm3)(2cm)
 

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