Question

"A cube of gold weighs 1.89N when suspended in air from a spring scale. When suspended in molasses, it appears to weigh 1.76 N. What is the buoyancy force acting on the cube? Do you think the buoyancy force would be greater or smaller if the gold cube were suspended in water?

a) Buoyancy force = 1.89 N; Greater in water
b) Buoyancy force = 0.13 N; Greater in water
c) Buoyancy force = 0.13 N; Smaller in water
d) Buoyancy force = 1.89 N; Smaller in water"

Answer 1

The buoyant force on the gold cube in molasses is 0.13 N and would be smaller if the cube were suspended in water, which is less dense than molasses.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked about the buoyant force acting on a cube of gold when submerged in molasses and how it would compare if the cube were in water. The buoyant force is given by the difference in the apparent weight when suspended in air versus when suspended in the fluid. Here, the weight in air is 1.89 N and in molasses, it is 1.76 N. So the buoyant force is 1.89 N - 1.76 N = 0.13 N. Since water has a lower density than molasses, the buoyant force in water would be smaller than in molasses. Therefore, the correct answer is (c) Buoyancy force = 0.13 N; Smaller in water.