Final answer:
The fraction of an iron anchor's weight supported by buoyant force when submerged in saltwater is related to Archimedes' principle of buoyancy, indicating a significant upward force due to the water the anchor displaces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regarding the weight of a 46 man life raft is more related to the specifications of safety equipment used in maritime contexts rather than a physics problem. However, the question on the fraction of an iron anchor's weight that will be supported by buoyant force when submerged in saltwater is directly related to physics concepts, specifically the principle of buoyancy. The problem requires understanding of Archimedes' principle, which states that the upward buoyant force exerted on a body submerged in a fluid, whether fully or partially submerged, is equal to the weight of the fluid that the body displaces.
For saltwater, which has a higher density than freshwater, the anchor will displace a certain volume of water, and the buoyant force is equivalent to the weight of that volume of water. If the anchor were made of steel and we assume that the maximum buoyant force is ten times the weight of the steel, the anchor would be able to support a weight nine times its own without sinking, indicating a significant buoyant force acting upon it.