Question 2.11: A block of concrete weighs 100 lbf in air and “weighs” only ...

A block of concrete weighs 100 lbf in air and “weighs” only 60 lbf when immersed in fresh water (62.4 lbf/ft^3). What is the average specific weight of the block?

The Blue Check Mark means that this solution has been answered and checked by an expert. This guarantees that the final answer is accurate.
Learn more on how we answer questions.

A free-body diagram of the submerged block (see Fig. E2.11) shows a balance between the apparent weight, the buoyant force, and the actual weight:
\sum{F_{z}}=0=60+ F_{B} -100
or F_{B} = 40 lbf = (62.4 lbf/ft^3)(block  volume, ft^3)
Solving gives the volume of the block as 40/62.4 = 0.641 ft^3. Therefore the specific weight of the block is
\gamma_{block}=\frac{100lbf}{0.641 ft^3}=156 lbf/ft^3

2.11

Related Answered Questions