Answer:
16 cm
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the depth of the oil container, we need to find the height of the oil column when 2 1/2 liters of oil are poured into it.
Given that the container's cross-section is a square with a side length of 12 1/2 cm, we can calculate the area of the cross-section.
Area of the cross-section = side length * side length
= 12.5 cm * 12.5 cm
= 156.25 cm²
Now, let's convert 2 1/2 liters to milliliters since the density of the oil is typically measured in milliliters.
1 liter = 1000 milliliters
2 1/2 liters = 2.5 liters = 2.5 * 1000 milliliters = 2500 milliliters
To find the height of the oil column, we divide the volume of the oil (2500 milliliters) by the area of the cross-section (156.25 cm²).
Height of the oil column = Volume / Area
= 2500 milliliters / 156.25 cm²
≈ 16 cm
Therefore, the depth of the oil container is approximately 16 cm.