Displacement of Anchored Boat
Question:
What happens to the water level in a pool (up, down, or same)
when an anchor is thrown out of a boat in it? Does the same
happen when a heavy floating object is thrown out?
Answer:
When an anchor is in a boat its entire weight must be supported
by the water the boat displaces. When the anchor is taken from
the boat and placed in the water, the boat will displace less
water. The water displaced by the anchor itself is of course less
than its entire weight, otherwise it would float. Therefore the
pool level goes down.
If a heavy floating object is removed from the boat and placed
in the water, the weight of the displaced water will still equal
the weight of both objects. No change in level.
What happens to the water level in a glass when the ice cubes
floating in it melt?
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