You are given two rectangular blocks of shiny metal, Block A and Block B, and are asked to determine which one will float in a bath of mercury (a metal that is liquid at room temperature). Block A is 10 cm long, 6 cm wide and 1 cm high and has a mass of 630 g. Block B is 5 cm long, 5 cm wide, 3 cm high, and has a mass of 604 g. If mercury has a density of 13.6 g/cm3, which of the two blocks will float when placed in mercury?

Question

Zaiden

Physics

18 January, 15:06

You are given two rectangular blocks of shiny metal, Block A and Block B, and are asked to determine which one will float in a bath of mercury (a metal that is liquid at room temperature). Block A is 10 cm long, 6 cm wide and 1 cm high and has a mass of 630 g. Block B is 5 cm long, 5 cm wide, 3 cm high, and has a mass of 604 g. If mercury has a density of 13.6 g/cm3, which of the two blocks will float when placed in mercury?

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Answers (1)

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Joshua Mcgrath · Answer 1

Volume of block A = 10 x 6 x 1 = 60 cm³

Mass of block A = 630 g

density of mass A = mass / density

= 630 / 60 = 10.5g / cm³

Volume of block B = 5 x 5 x 3 = 75 cm³

Mass of block A = 604 g

density of mass A = mass / density

= 604 / 75 = 8.05 g / cm³

Since density of both A and B are less than that of mercury, both will float in mercury.