Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Buoyancy
Buoyancy is the upward force exerted by a fluid on an object submerged in it. This force opposes the weight of the object and is determined by the volume of fluid displaced, according to Archimedes' principle. In this scenario, the difference between the weight of the ore in air and the tension in the cord when submerged indicates the buoyant force acting on the ore.
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Intro to Buoyancy & Buoyant Force
Weight and Tension
Weight is the force exerted by gravity on an object, calculated as the mass of the object multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity. Tension is the force transmitted through a string or cord when it is pulled tight. In this problem, the weight of the ore in air is 17.50 N, while the tension in the cord when submerged is 11.20 N, which helps in calculating the buoyant force and subsequently the volume of the ore.
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Density
Density is defined as mass per unit volume and is a key property of materials. It can be calculated using the formula density = mass/volume. In this case, once the volume of the ore is determined from the buoyant force, the density can be calculated by rearranging the weight equation to find mass and dividing it by the calculated volume.
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