A 2000 lb box is being held at rest submerged in water. The box is displacing 2500 lbs of water. When the box is released from its submerged position, the box will
a. sink
b. rise to the surface and float
c. remain where it is
d. result unknown
To determine what will happen when the box is released from its submerged position, we need to understand the concept of buoyancy.
Buoyancy is the upward force exerted by a fluid (in this case, water) on an object submerged or floating in it. This force depends on the weight of the fluid that the object displaces. According to Archimedes' principle, an object submerged in a fluid experiences a buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces.
In this scenario, the box is displacing 2500 lbs of water. This means that the buoyant force acting on the box is equal to 2500 lbs. Since the weight of the box is 2000 lbs, the buoyant force is greater than the weight of the box.
When an object experiences a buoyant force greater than its weight, it floats. Therefore, the answer is option b. The box will rise to the surface and float when released from its submerged position in the water.
Remember, to predict the behavior accurately, it's important to consider that the box needs to be released gently and without any additional external forces acting on it.