Question

A small ball of uniform density equal to 1/2 the density of water is dropped into a pool from a height of 5m above the surface. Calculate the maximum depth the ball reaches before it is returned due to its bouyancy. (Omit the air and water drag forces).

Answer 1

1.67 m

Step-by-step explanation:

The potential energy change of the small ball ΔU equals the work done by the buoyant force, W

ΔU = -W

Now ΔU = mgΔh where m = mass of small ball = ρV where ρ = density of small ball and V = volume of small ball. Δh = h - h' where h = final depth of small ball and h' = initial height of small ball = 5 m. Δh = h - 5

ΔU = mgΔh

ΔU = ρVgΔh

Now, W = ρ'VgΔh' where ρ = density of water and V = volume of water displaced = volume of small ball. Δh' = h - h' where h = final depth of small ball and h' = initial depth of small ball at water surface = 0 m. Δh' = h - h' = h - 0 = h

So, ΔU = -W

ρVgΔh = -ρ'VgΔh'

ρVg(h - 5) = -ρ'Vgh

ρ(h - 5) = -ρ'h

Since the density of the small ball equals 1/2 the density of water,

ρ = ρ'/2

ρ(h - 5) = -ρ'h

(ρ'/2)(h - 5) = -ρ'h

ρ'(h - 5)/2 = -ρ'h

(h - 5)/2 = -h

h - 5 = -2h

h + 2h = 5

3h = 5

h = 5/3

h = 1.67 m

So, the maximum depth the ball reaches is 1.67 m.