Notice that the buoyant force of mercury calculated in part (b) is the same as t

Question

Notice that the buoyant force of mercury calculated in part (b) is the same as the normal force in part (a). This is naturally the case, because enough mercury was added to exactly cancel out the normal force. We could have used this fact to take a shortcut, simply writing BHg = 7.99 103 N immediately, solving for h, and avoiding a second use of Newton's law. Most of the time, however, we wouldn't be so lucky! Try calculating the normal force when the level of mercury is 4.00 cm. What would happen to the aluminum cube if more mercury were poured into the tank?

a. The cube would have no buoyant force.

b. The cube would float just above the mercury.

c. The cube would float partly submerged in the mercury.

d. The cube would float with its bottom surface at the level of mercury.

e. The cube would remain on the bottom.

f. The cube would float by just touching the surface of the mercury.

Explanation / Answer

c. The cube would float partly submerged in the mercury.

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