IF AN EMPTY BARREL WEIGHS 20LBS WHAT CAN YOU PUT IN IT TO WEIGH IT DOWN?

Water.

To understand what you can put in the barrel to weigh it down, let's first consider the principle of buoyancy. When an object, like the barrel, is placed in a fluid (such as water), it experiences an upward force called buoyant force. This force is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.

In this case, the empty barrel weighs 20 lbs. To weigh it down, we need to increase its weight so that it is greater than the buoyant force acting on it.

One common and easily accessible option is to fill the barrel with water. Water has a density of about 1 g/cm³, or approximately 62.4 lbs/ft³. Since 1 gallon is equivalent to 0.1337 ft³, we can calculate the weight of water needed to weigh down the barrel.

Let's assume the barrel has a capacity of 55 gallons. The weight of water required to fill the barrel is:

Weight of water = volume of water × density of water

Weight of water = 55 gallons × 0.1337 ft³/gallon × 62.4 lbs/ft³

Weight of water ≈ 437 lbs

By filling the barrel with approximately 437 lbs (or more) of water, you will effectively weigh it down and increase its overall weight.