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A lead weight is fastened to the top of a large piece of Styrofoam that floats i

ID: 2124148 • Letter: A

Question

A lead weight is fastened to the top of a large piece of Styrofoam that floats in a beaker of water. Because of the lead weight, the water line is flush with the top surface of the Styrofoam.  If the piece of Styrofoam is turned upside-down so that the weight is suspended underneath it, the water level in the container:


a. rises

b. drops

c. stays the same

A lead weight is fastened to the top of a large piece of Styrofoam that floats in a beaker of water. Because of the lead weight, the water line is flush with the top surface of the Styrofoam. If the piece of Styrofoam is turned upside-down so that the weight is suspended underneath it, the water level in the container:

Explanation / Answer

Choice C is the correct answer.


The buoyant force is unchanged, so the volume of water displaced does not change and the level of the water therefore stays the same.