A spring balance supporting a suspended solid brick indicates a mass of 1.5 kg. When the brick is submerged in water, the balance indicates a mass of 0.62 kg. The density of the brick is A) 875 kg/m³. B) 1000 kg/m³. C) 1700 kg/m³. D) 2100 kg/m³.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The apparent loss in weight when the brick is submerged in water is due to the buoyant force, which equals the weight of the water displaced by the brick. The loss in weight is 1.5 kg - 0.62 kg = 0.88 kg. The volume of the brick can be found by dividing the mass of water displaced (0.88 kg) by the density of water (1000 kg/m^3), giving a volume of 0.00088 m^3. The density of the brick is then found by dividing its mass in air (1.5 kg) by its volume (0.00088 m^3), resulting in approximately 1700 kg/m^3.

A Spring Balance Supporting a Suspended Solid Brick Indicates a Mass