A 1.03 kg beaker containing 1.5 kg of oil of density 900kg/m^3 rests on a scale. A 2.31 kg block of iron is suspended from a spring scale and is completely submerged in the oil. The acceleration of gravity is 9.8m/s^2. The density of the iron is 7860kg/m^3. Find the equilibrium reading of the lower scale. Answer in units of N.
2007-02-07 14:24:22 · 1 answers · asked by neena m 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I think I see how to solve the problem.
The key is the iron is suspended by a spring so it doesn't touch the bottom of the beaker.
Since the iron is suspended in the oil it displaces the oil and increases the load on the lower scale the same amount as if a volume equal to the iron was added of oil.
You are given the density of the iron and its mass so you can calculate its volume. You are also given the density of the oil so by multiplying the volume of iron x the density of oil you will have the additional mass.
mass beaker + mass of oil + (volume of iron x density of oil) = total mass
total mass x 9.8 m/s^2 = force on lower scale.
2007-02-07 14:42:23 · answer #1 · answered by Roadkill 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋