Will a Dense Green Object Sink in a Sealed Water-Filled Pipe?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether a dense green object, with a density greater than water, will sink in a sealed water-filled pipe. Participants explore the implications of density and weight in this specific scenario, seeking explanations beyond a simple yes or no answer.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the green object will sink due to its density being greater than that of water.
  • Others argue that the total weight of the system, including the green object, affects the stability of the pipe rather than the sinking of the object itself.
  • A participant questions whether the water in both pipes would fall and if a vacuum would be created at the top, indicating uncertainty about the dynamics involved.
  • There is a mention of Archimedes' principle as a relevant argument in the discussion.
  • Some participants emphasize the need to focus on the internal dynamics of the pipe rather than external factors like stability or toppling.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the reasons behind the green object's behavior in the pipe, with no consensus reached on the mechanics at play or the implications of weight versus density.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully addressed the implications of external stability or the role of clamps in the experiment, leaving some assumptions about the setup unexamined.

Meteor73
Please see the below image, it is a closed and well sealed circulated pipe structure, fully filled with water and no air inside. The density of that green object is greater than water (say 1.2 while water is 1). In this situation, will the green object be sunk? Better with some explanations, but not only yes or no, thanks!

43899_20170906_114514.jpg
 
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Meteor73 said:
In this situation, will the green object be sunk?

what do you think and why ?
 
davenn said:
what do you think and why ?

Thanks for your reply, I think it will be sunk, as the total weight in the pipe with green object is heavier than the other pipe. I just want to confirm this and no need to consider other things.
 
Meteor73 said:
as the total weight in the pipe with green object is heavier than the other pipe
That is the reason why the whole thing would fall over, not why the green object sinks inside.
 
A.T. said:
That is the reason why the whole thing would fall over, not why the green object sinks inside.
Sorry, do you mean water in both pipes will fall, and vacuum creates at top??
 
A.T. said:
That is the reason why the whole thing would fall over, not why the green object sinks inside.
He left out the clamps for the experiment in the diagram. Did we not automatically take that into account? If the possibility of toppling was meant to be discussed, wouldn't there have been a table top in the diagram?
@Meteor73 that looks an OK argument - straight out of Archimedes
 
sophiecentaur said:
He left out the clamps for the experiment in the diagram. Did we not automatically take that into account? If the possibility of toppling was meant to be discussed, wouldn't there have been a table top in the diagram?
@Meteor73 that looks an OK argument - straight out of Archimedes

:biggrin: Thanks Sophie, this is not the scope of the experiment. We can assume the pipe structure is well fixed, and just focus on what happen inside the pipe.
 

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