Question #fefb2
1 Answer
diagram in explanation section...
Explanation:
I'm not entirely sure how to answer this question, so I'll answer it in two ways that I can see it being interpreted.
First, let's assume the question is asking about the volume reading on the measuring cylinder, which is indicating the volume of both the water and the object immersed in it. The graph would look something like this:
The volume reading would be constant until we begin immersing the object. The reading after the object is completely immersed would have increased by the total volume of the object itself. During the time it takes to immerse the object, the increase would be a strange line owing to the irregular shape of the object.
A couple of notes about the transition line. If the object is a relatively normal shape, like a rock without very narrow sections in the middle or a lot of cavities that can temporarily trap air, then one should draw a line like the one in the above graph. It should always increase (positive slope) and not have any sections which do not increase (have zero slope).
However, if it is a strange shape, for instance, like a boat which we push in hull first until the water rushes over the top, we can get very odd looking lines which may show decreases, and which may go above the final volume! Avoid drawing lines like this on tests and exams since you won't be there to explain why you did so. Unless you also include a drawing of the object you are thinking of - which may get you bonus points!
Second, and probably not what the questioner intended, if we read the question to be only asking about the volume of only the water, and we assume the irregular solid is not soluble in water, then the volume of water has not changed. So the graph would look like:
