why are boats more buoyant in salt water than in fresh water

HESI A2

HESI A2 Physics

1. Why are boats more buoyant in salt water than in fresh water?

A. Salt decreases the mass of the boats.
B. Salt increases the volume of the water.
C. Salt affects the density of the boats.
D. Salt increases the density of the water.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Salt increases the density of water, making saltwater more buoyant than freshwater. The higher density of saltwater provides more lift to a boat, enabling it to float more easily compared to in freshwater. Choice A is incorrect because salt does not affect the mass of the boats. Choice B is incorrect as salt does not increase the volume of water. Choice C is incorrect since salt affects the density of water, not the boats themselves. Therefore, the correct answer is that salt increases the density of the water, resulting in boats being more buoyant in salt water than in fresh water.

2. A key parameter in fluid selection is specific gravity (SG). For a submerged object in a reference fluid (often water), SG = ρ_object / ρ_reference. An object with SG > 1 will:

A. Experience a net buoyant force acting upwards
B. Experience a net buoyant force acting downwards
C. Remain neutrally buoyant
D. Require knowledge of the object's volume for buoyancy determination

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When the specific gravity (SG) of an object is greater than 1, it indicates that the object is denser than the reference fluid, which is often water. According to Archimedes' principle, an object with SG > 1 will experience a net buoyant force acting upwards when submerged in the fluid. This is because the buoyant force is greater than the weight of the object, causing it to float. Therefore, the correct answer is A: 'Experience a net buoyant force acting upwards.' Objects with SG < 1 would sink as they are less dense than the fluid, while objects with SG = 1 would be neutrally buoyant, neither sinking nor floating.

3. Which of the following materials has the lowest density?

A. Water
B. Cork
C. Aluminum
D. Steel

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Cork has the lowest density among the given options. Cork is a lightweight material derived from the bark of cork oak trees and is known for its low density, making it float on water. Water, aluminum, and steel have higher densities compared to cork. Water is denser than cork because it has a consistent density of 1 g/cm³. Aluminum and steel are metals with much higher densities due to their atomic structures, making them denser than cork.

4. Certain non-Newtonian fluids exhibit shear thickening behavior. In this case, the fluid's viscosity:

A. Remains constant with increasing shear rate
B. Decreases with increasing shear rate (shear thinning)
C. Increases with increasing shear rate
D. Depends solely on the applied pressure

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a non-Newtonian fluid exhibits shear thickening behavior, its viscosity increases with increasing shear rate. This means that as more force is applied to the fluid, its resistance to flow also increases, resulting in a higher viscosity. This phenomenon is opposite to shear thinning, where viscosity decreases with increasing shear rate. Therefore, in the case of shear thickening behavior, the correct answer is that the fluid's viscosity increases with increasing shear rate. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because shear thickening behavior specifically involves an increase in viscosity with increasing shear rate, not remaining constant, decreasing, or depending on applied pressure.

5. For a compressible fluid subjected to rapid pressure changes, sound wave propagation becomes important. The speed of sound (c) depends on the fluid's:

A. Density (ρ) only
B. Viscosity (μ) only
C. Density (ρ) and Bulk modulus
D. Density (ρ) and Surface tension (γ)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a compressible fluid, the speed of sound (c) depends on both the fluid's density (ρ) and Bulk modulus. Density affects the compressibility of the fluid, while Bulk modulus represents the fluid's resistance to compression and plays a crucial role in determining the speed of sound in a compressible medium. Viscosity and surface tension do not directly impact the speed of sound in a compressible fluid subjected to rapid pressure changes. Therefore, the correct answer is C.