Question

When performing hydrostatic weighing, an accurate underwater weight can typically be determined from 1-2 trials, with little accuracy gained by measuring underwater weight more than two times.

a) True
b) False

Answer 1

An accurate underwater weight can typically be determined from 1-2 trials in hydrostatic weighing.

Step-by-step explanation:

When performing hydrostatic weighing, an accurate underwater weight can typically be determined from 1-2 trials, with little accuracy gained by measuring underwater weight more than two times. This statement is true.

Hydrostatic weighing is a method used to determine body density by measuring the displacement of water when a person is submerged. It is based on Archimedes' principle, which states that the buoyant force on an object equals the weight of the fluid displaced. Since bone and muscle weigh more than water, a person with higher muscle and bone mass will weigh more in water than a person with less bone and muscle mass.

Therefore, by measuring underwater weight once or twice, we can accurately determine a person's body density without the need for additional trials.