A boat floating in fresh water displaces 16,000 N of water. How many newtons of salt-water would it displace if it floats in salt-water of specific gravity 1.17?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The buoyant force is equal to the weight of the water displaced. The weight of the water displaced is equal to the volume of the water displaced multiplied by the density of the water. The density of salt water is 1.17 times the density of fresh water. Therefore, the volume of salt water displaced will be 1/1.17 times the volume of fresh water displaced. The weight of the salt water displaced will be 1.17 times the weight of the fresh water displaced. Therefore, the boat will displace 16,000 N of salt water.

A Boat Floating in Fresh Water Displaces 16,000 N of Water