A barge with vertical sides is 10.0 m wide and 60.0 m long and is floating in fresh water. How much deeper into the water does the barge sink when 300,000 kg of coal are loaded on the barge?
A) 25.0 cm
B) 50.0 cm
C) 75.0 cm
D) 1.00 m
E) 1.50 m

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The volume of water displaced equals the weight of the coal divided by the density of water. The density of water is 1000 kg/m³. The volume displaced is 300,000 kg / 1000 kg/m³ = 300 m³. The area of the barge is 10 m * 60 m = 600 m². The depth the barge sinks is 300 m³ / 600 m² = 0.5 m or 50.0 cm.

A Barge with Vertical Sides Is 10