How High Can a Tower of Sugar Cubes Be?

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The Babblers aim to build a tower of sugar cubes to reach Rock Candy Mountain, using sugar cubes with a density of 1500 kg/m3 and a compressive strength of 6.0 MPa. The discussion involves calculating the maximum height of the tower based on the stress formula, where stress equals force divided by area. The participant converted the compressive strength to 6,000,000 N/m2 but is uncertain about how to derive the height from the stress equation. Clarification is sought on how to relate height to the stress equation effectively. Understanding the relationship between stress, force, and height is crucial for determining the tower's maximum height.
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Homework Statement


The Babblers have decided to build a tower that would reach the top of Rock Candy Mountain. For brick they used large sugar cubes ( = 1500 kg/m3). The compressive strength (stress) of sugar cubes is 6.0 MPa. How tall of a tower can the Babblers build?


Homework Equations


Stress = F/A = Y(ΔL/L0)A


The Attempt at a Solution


I converted 6MPa to N/m2 for 6,000,000 N/m2, I just don't know how to find L. The A's cancel, leaving me with F = Y(ΔL/L0), right? Is Y = 1500 kg/m^3?
 
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I'm not sure you're using the right equations... the stress relationship is OK (stress = F/A), but how is this related to the height? Show an equation that can relate the height of tower to some part of the stress equation.

-Kerry
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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