Water Levels

Classical Mechanics Level 2

A plastic box has a mass in it and is floating on the surface of a tub of water (as shown in the diagram). The mass is removed from the box and placed in the water, where it sinks to the bottom. What happens to the level of the water in the tub?

Note: based on a problem in the January 2014 edition of the Reader's Digest

It rises It falls Not enough information It stays at the same level

A Former Brilliant Member by A Former Brilliant Member

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1 solution

  1. The density of mass greater than water.
  2. When the mass is in box, the volume of water displaced must be greater than volume of the mass since the two volumes must have the same weight.
  3. When the mass is placed in water, the volume of water displaced is equal to the volume of the mass and so less than before.
  4. Since there is less water displaced, the water level will be lower.
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