NICET - Highway Construction Inspection Practice Exam

What is the buoyant force acting on a block with a volume of 2 cubic feet submerged in water?

1. 124.8 lb

2. 300 lb

3. 175.2 lb

4. 62.4 lb

The correct answer is: 124.8 lb

To determine the buoyant force acting on an object submerged in a fluid, the principle of buoyancy—often referred to as Archimedes' principle—can be applied. Archimedes' principle states that the buoyant force on a submerged object is equal to the weight of the fluid that is displaced by that object. In this case, we need to calculate the buoyant force acting on the block with a volume of 2 cubic feet submerged in water. To do this, we can use the formula: Buoyant Force = Volume of the Object × Density of the Fluid × Acceleration due to Gravity In freshwater, the density is approximately 62.4 lb/ft³. Thus, we can calculate the buoyant force as follows: 1. The volume of the block is 2 cubic feet. 2. The density of water is approximately 62.4 lb/ft³. Now, multiplying these values gives us: Buoyant Force = 2 ft³ × 62.4 lb/ft³ = 124.8 lb. This calculation confirms that the buoyant force acting on the block submerged in water is 124.8 lb. This value is consistent with the principles of fluid mechanics and confirms that the buoy