Problem 14.4: Pressure and buoyant force of block suspended in water

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The blue liquid is an oil with ρ = 850 kg/m3 (position is given in centimeters and the dimension of the oil containers into the screen is 20 cm). Restart.

  1. If the mass is 150 g, what is the tension on the wire at the following times: 0.4 s, 1.5 s and 4 s?
  2. What is the gauge pressure at the top of the mass at t = 1.5 s and t = 4 s?
  3. Some students find the answers to questions (a) and (b) (the tension in the wire and the gauge pressure) inconsistent. Explain why they are consistent with each other.

Note that gauge pressure is the difference in pressure due to the surface of the water (the absolute pressure would be the pressure due to the atmosphere at the surface plus the pressure due to the water).

Problem authored by Anne J. Cox.


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