- #1
bbraves7
- 15
- 0
Homework Statement
Consider a large cargo ship, with a steel (density = 7.5g/cc, 7500kg/m^3) hull. If I ignore the mass of the front and back of the ship, how far into the water (height) will the ship sit?
Homework Equations
density = m/v
Force(buoyancy) = (density of fluid)(volume of fluid displaced)(9.8m/s^2)
Area(triangle) = (1/2)(base)(height)
The Attempt at a Solution
I know that an object will float when the force pushing up on it (buoyancy) is equal to the force pushing down (mass*gravity). I know that buoyancy is the weight of the displaced fluid. What I'm not getting is how I find either force without knowing the volume of the ship, which in turns gives me the volume of water displaced. I think the direction I should be going is to get an equation with an unknown volume of both sides, allowing me to cancel them out. I've attached my worksheet, which are basically just a few attempts to get things on paper. I usually find it easier to write down my thoughts as they creep up, but I'm stuck on this one!
Thanks for anyone willing to help!