THE PRACTICE STUDIO
Go slowly. Ask why. Make it yours.
PRACTICE / Floating equilibrium
The same weight needs more volume
A floating density instrument has mass 30 g and a uniform stem of area 1.5 cm² across both waterlines. It moves from a liquid of density 1000 kg/m³ to one of density 750 kg/m³. Only the stem crosses the surfaces and the instrument remains upright.
How much farther does it sink in the second liquid?
Organize the givens & assumptions
- M = 0.030 kg
- Stem area = 1.5 × 10⁻⁴ m²
- ρ₁ = 1000 kg/m³
- ρ₂ = 750 kg/m³
Settled hydrostatic equilibrium in uniform gravity; stable stated orientation, no contact forces unless stated, negligible air buoyancy and surface tension, no absorption, trapped gas or spilling.
- A
- B
- C
- D
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