A block of iron quickly sinks in water, but ships constructed of iron float. A s

ID: 1781240 • Letter: A

Question

A block of iron quickly sinks in water, but ships constructed of iron float. A solid cube of iron 1.6 m on each side is made into sheets.

Part A

To make these sheets into a hollow cube that will not sink, what should be the minimum length of the sides of the sheets?

Express your answer using two significant figures.

A block of iron quickly sinks in water, but ships constructed of iron float. A solid cube of iron 1.6 m on each side is made into sheets.

Part A

To make these sheets into a hollow cube that will not sink, what should be the minimum length of the sides of the sheets?

Express your answer using two significant figures.

L = m

The buoyant force on the hollow cube must equal the weight of the solid cube

BF = (water)*g*V = *g*L^3

where L is the length of one side of the hollow cube

Weight = (iron)*g*V = *g*(1.6)^3

1000*g*L^3 = 7874*g*4.096

L = cube root(7874*4.096/1000)

L = 3.183 m

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