A 4.5-newton object is placed in a tank of water. If the water exerts a force of 4.0 newtons on the object, will the object sink or float?
Answer (2)
F o = 4 , 5 N f orce e x er t e d b y o bj ec t i s d o w n w a r d F w = 4 N f orce e x er t e d b y w a t er i s u pw a r d F in d in g res u lt u n t f orce : F r = F w − F o F r = 4 − 4 , 5 = − 0 , 5 N s i g n − m e an t ha t f orce i s d o w n w a r d I f res u lt an t f orce i s e q u a l t o − 0 , 5 N o bj ec t w i ll s ink . T hi s f orce w i ll t ak e o bj ec t d o w n .
The 4.5-newton object will sink because its weight is greater than the buoyant force of 4.0 newtons acting on it. The resultant downward force is -0.5 newtons, indicating that it will not float. Thus, the object is heavier than the water's upward push.
;
