spherical aluminum ball of mass 1.22 kg contains an empty spherical cavity that is concentric with the ball. The ball just barely floats in water.Calculate the radius of the cavity.

1 answer

R = outer radius
r = inner radius (of spherical cavity)

Sphere weight = buoyancy force

(4/3) pi (R^3 - r^3)*(density of Al)*g
= (4/3) pi R^3 * (density of water)*g

(4/3) pi R^3 * (density of water)
= 1.22 kg

(Use the second equation to solve for R)

The (4/3) pi g cancels out in the first equation.

1 - (r/R)^3
= (water density)/(Al density)

Look up the densities and solve