Math Problem Statement

a spherical buoy 1.8 m diameter floats half-submerged in a liquid having a specific gravity of 1.5. Find the minimum weight of a lead anchor weighing 7220kg/m^3 that will be required to submerged the buoy completely

Solution

To solve this problem, we need to apply principles from hydrostatics and buoyancy. Specifically, we'll use Archimedes' principle, which states that the buoyant force is equal to the weight of the displaced liquid.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Given Information:

  • Diameter of the spherical buoy, D=1.8mD = 1.8 \, \text{m}.
  • Specific gravity of the liquid, SG=1.5SG = 1.5.
  • Density of lead, ρlead=7220kg/m3\rho_{\text{lead}} = 7220 \, \text{kg/m}^3.

We are tasked with finding the weight of the lead anchor needed to fully submerge the buoy.

2. Volume of the Buoy:

The volume VbuoyV_{\text{buoy}} of the sphere is calculated using the formula for the volume of a sphere: Vbuoy=43π(D2)3V_{\text{buoy}} = \frac{4}{3} \pi \left(\frac{D}{2}\right)^3 Substituting D=1.8mD = 1.8 \, \text{m}: Vbuoy=43π(1.82)3=43π(0.9)3V_{\text{buoy}} = \frac{4}{3} \pi \left(\frac{1.8}{2}\right)^3 = \frac{4}{3} \pi (0.9)^3 Vbuoy3.05m3V_{\text{buoy}} \approx 3.05 \, \text{m}^3

3. Buoyant Force:

The buoyant force FbF_b is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced. The weight of the displaced liquid depends on the volume of the buoy and the density of the liquid.

The density of the liquid ρliquid\rho_{\text{liquid}} can be calculated using its specific gravity: ρliquid=SG×ρwater=1.5×1000kg/m3=1500kg/m3\rho_{\text{liquid}} = SG \times \rho_{\text{water}} = 1.5 \times 1000 \, \text{kg/m}^3 = 1500 \, \text{kg/m}^3

Now, the buoyant force FbF_b is: Fb=ρliquid×Vbuoy×gF_b = \rho_{\text{liquid}} \times V_{\text{buoy}} \times g where g=9.81m/s2g = 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2 (acceleration due to gravity).

Substitute the values: Fb=1500×3.05×9.8144,900NF_b = 1500 \times 3.05 \times 9.81 \approx 44,900 \, \text{N}

4. Weight of the Buoy:

The buoy is half-submerged, so the current buoyant force is balancing half its weight. To submerge it completely, we need to add weight.

The total weight of the buoy, WbuoyW_{\text{buoy}}, is: Wbuoy=Fb2=44,900222,450NW_{\text{buoy}} = \frac{F_b}{2} = \frac{44,900}{2} \approx 22,450 \, \text{N}

The mass of the buoy mbuoym_{\text{buoy}} is: mbuoy=Wbuoyg=22,4509.812,288kgm_{\text{buoy}} = \frac{W_{\text{buoy}}}{g} = \frac{22,450}{9.81} \approx 2,288 \, \text{kg}

5. Required Weight of Lead Anchor:

To completely submerge the buoy, the total downward force (buoy's weight plus the lead anchor's weight) must be equal to the buoyant force.

Let the weight of the lead anchor be WanchorW_{\text{anchor}}. We need: Wbuoy+Wanchor=FbW_{\text{buoy}} + W_{\text{anchor}} = F_b Wanchor=FbWbuoy=44,90022,450=22,450NW_{\text{anchor}} = F_b - W_{\text{buoy}} = 44,900 - 22,450 = 22,450 \, \text{N}

The mass of the lead anchor manchorm_{\text{anchor}} is: manchor=Wanchorg=22,4509.812,288kgm_{\text{anchor}} = \frac{W_{\text{anchor}}}{g} = \frac{22,450}{9.81} \approx 2,288 \, \text{kg}

6. Volume of Lead Anchor:

Finally, the volume of the lead anchor VanchorV_{\text{anchor}} can be calculated using the formula: Vanchor=manchorρlead=2,28872200.317m3V_{\text{anchor}} = \frac{m_{\text{anchor}}}{\rho_{\text{lead}}} = \frac{2,288}{7220} \approx 0.317 \, \text{m}^3

Answer:

The minimum weight of the lead anchor required to completely submerge the buoy is approximately 2,288kg2,288 \, \text{kg}.


Do you want further details or have any questions?
Here are some related questions:

  1. What is Archimedes' principle and how does it apply to buoyancy?
  2. How would the result change if the liquid had a lower specific gravity?
  3. What happens if the buoy were less than half-submerged initially?
  4. How would we calculate the forces if the shape of the buoy were different (e.g., a cylinder)?
  5. What is the effect of gravity variations on the buoyant force?

Tip: When solving hydrostatic problems, ensure that units are consistent throughout the calculations.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Hydrostatics
Buoyancy
Density
Volume of a Sphere
Archimedes' Principle

Formulas

V = (4/3)πr^3 (Volume of a sphere)
Buoyant Force = ρ_liquid × V_buoy × g
Weight = Mass × g
Specific Gravity = ρ_liquid / ρ_water

Theorems

Archimedes' Principle

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate-level Physics or Engineering