A rock is suspended from a scale reads 20.0 N. A beaker of water is raised up so the rock is totally submerged in the water. The scale now reads 12.5 N. What is the density of the rock?

Respuesta :

The rock's density is equivalent to 2667 kg/m3.

mass of rock = F / g (gravitational constant)
                      = 20/ 9.8
                      = 2.039 kg
While submerged in water, the rock has displaced (20.0 N - 12.5 N =) 7.5 N worth of water, This convert to the mass: 0.7645 kg.
 
The density of water is 1000 kg/m3, so the volume of water displaced is (0.7645 kg) / (1000 kg/m3) = 7.645 x 10^-4 m3.

density of rock = mass / volume
                        =  0.7645 kg/7.645 x 10^-4 m3. 
                        = 2667 kg/m3.