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Molecular
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Homework Statement
The archimedean principle states that the bouyancy force equals the weight of the water displaced by the body (partly or totally submerged). So We have a buoy of diameter 60 cm which is floating in water with its axis vertical. When depressed downwards in the water and released, it vibrates with period 2 seconds. How much does the buoy weigh?
The Attempt at a Solution
This is what I started with;
I knew that the force equalled the weight of the mass being surpressed. The area of the mass being surpressed in decimeters is 3*2*pi*y (If y is how far down the buoy is being pushed).
since F = m*a and a equals the second derivative of the length y, I've got myself the expression
m*y'' = - 9.81*6*pi*y (Negative since positive direction is upwards).
This can be simplified:
m*y'' + k*y = 0.
This equation can be solved by using the following y:
y(t) = Acos(wt) + Bsin(wt)
where w = sqrt(k/m)
and
the period is (2pi)/w
Given as we know k and the period we can find the mass of water supressed (m) and hence also find how far down the buoy gets pushed, simply by setting up a few easy equations. (I may have done something wrong on my way here, please correct me if I have)
But let's say what I just said was correct - I can't seem to find a way to utilize the information I just gathered to actually find the weight of the buoy itself. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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