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Mechanical Properties of Fluids appeared 32 times across 3 years — 3.7% of Physics. This question is from Archimedes Principle.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 9 15 8 32

A 400g solid cube having an edge of length 10cm floats in water. How much volume of the cube is outside the water? (Given: density of water = 1000kgm⁻³ )

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

By the law of flotation, the weight of a floating body must exactly balance the buoyant force exerted by the displaced fluid volume:

M · g = ρfluid · Vsubmerged · g
Core Logic

Given parameters:

  • Mass of the cube, M = 400 g = 0.4 kg
  • Total volume of the cube, Vtotal = (10 cm)³ = 1000 cm³ = 10⁻³ m³
  • Density of water, ρwater = 1000 kg/m³
  • Equating weight to buoyant force to find the submerged volume Vd :

0.4 = 1000 × Vsubmerged Vsubmerged = (0.4)/(1000) = 4 × 10⁻⁴ m³ = 400 cm³

Calculate the volume remaining outside the water surface :

Voutside = Vtotal - Vsubmerged Voutside = 1000 cm³ - 400 cm³ = 600 cm³
Pattern Recognition

The fraction of a floating body's volume that is submerged equals the ratio of the body's density to the fluid's density: VsubmergedVtotal = ρbodyρfluid. Here, the cube's effective density is 0.4 g/cm³, meaning 40% is submerged and 60% stays outside.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Reference Study Guides

More Mechanical Properties of Fluids Previous-Year Questions — Page 3

Q21 jee_main_2025_02_april_morning Hydrostatic Pressure
A vessel with square cross-section and height of 6~m is vertically partitioned. A small window of 100~cm² with hinged door is fitted at a depth of 3~m in the partition wall. One part of the vessel is filled completely with water and the other side is filled with the liquid having density 1.5× 10³~kg/m³. What force one needs to apply on the hinged door so that it does not get opened? (Acceleration due to gravity = 10~m/s²)
Numerical Answer. Answer: 150 to 150

Solution

Related Formula
P = P₀ + ρ g h F = Δ P · A
Core Logic

Let's analyze the pressure acting on the window at depth h = 3~m from both sides:

  • Water side (density ρw = 1.0 × 10³~kg/m³):
Pw = P₀ + ρw g h
  • Denser liquid side (density ρl = 1.5 × 10³~kg/m³):
Pl = P₀ + ρl g h

The net pressure difference pushing on the window is:

Δ P = Pl - Pw = (ρl - ρw) g h Δ P = (1.5 × 10³ - 1.0 × 10³) × 10 × 3 = 500 × 30 = 15000~N/m²

The window has area A = 100~cm² = 100 × 10⁻⁴~m² = 10⁻²~m².

To keep the door from opening, we must apply a force balancing the pressure difference:

F = Δ P · A = 15000 × 10⁻² = 150~N
Step 1: Final Conclusion

The required force is

Step 1: Final Conclusion

The required force is $150\mathrm{~N}.

Pattern Recognition

For a vertical interface between two fluids, the net pressure difference is simply given by

Pattern Recognition

For a vertical interface between two fluids, the net pressure difference is simply given by $\Delta P = \Delta \rho \cdot g h. The ambient atmospheric pressureP_0$ cancels out since it acts on both sides of the window.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Q jee_main_2025_03_april_evening Work Done by Gravity in Connecting Vessels
Two cylindrical vessels of equal cross sectional area of 2~m² contain water upto height 10~m and 6~m, respectively. If the vessels are connected at their bottom then the work done by the force of gravity is : (Density of water is 10³~kg/m³ and g=10~m/s²)
  • A. 1 × 10⁵~J
  • B. 4 × 10⁴~J
  • C. 6 × 10⁴~J
  • D. 8 × 10⁴~J

Solution

Related Formula

The gravitational potential energy U of a liquid column of mass m and height h is evaluated relative to its bottom by placing its total mass at its center of mass (h/2):

U = m g ((h)/(2)) = (ρ A h) g ((h)/(2)) = (1)/(2) ρ A g h²

Work done by the force of gravity (W) equals the negative change in potential energy:

W = -Δ U = Uᵢ - Uf
Core Logic

Since the vessels are identical and connected at the bottom, water flows from the higher column to the lower one until their final heights equalize at:

hf = (10 + 6)/(2) = 8~m
Step 1: Calculate Initial Potential Energy (Uᵢ)

Let the reference level U=0 be at the bottom:

Uᵢ = U₁ + U₂ = (1)/(2) ρ A g h₁² + (1)/(2) ρ A g h₂² Uᵢ = (1)/(2) ρ A g (10² + 6²) = (1)/(2) ρ A g (100 + 36) = 68 ρ A g

Work Done by Gravity in Connecting Vessels
Work Done by Gravity in Connecting Vessels

Step 2: Calculate Final Potential Energy (Uf)

Both vessels equalize to hf = 8~m:

Uf = 2 × [ (1)/(2) ρ A g hf² ] = ρ A g (8²) = 64 ρ A g
Step 3: Work Done by Gravity (W)
W = Uᵢ - Uf = 68 ρ A g - 64 ρ A g = 4 ρ A g

Substitute the given values (ho = 10³~kg/m³, A = 2~m², g = 10~m/s²):

W = 4 × 10³ × 2 × 10 = 8 × 10⁴~J
Pattern Recognition

For leveling liquids between two identical connected columns, the shift in center of mass always simplifies. The loss in potential energy is given by

Pattern Recognition

For leveling liquids between two identical connected columns, the shift in center of mass always simplifies. The loss in potential energy is given by $\Delta U = \frac{1}{4} \rho A g (h_1 - h_2)^2. Applying this directly:

Δ U = (1)/(4) × 10³ × 2 × 10 × (10 - 6)² = 5000 × 16 = 8 × 10⁴~J$
Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Q12 jee_main_2025_03_april_evening Viscosity and Terminal Velocity
A solid steel ball of diameter 3.6~mm acquired terminal velocity 2.45×10⁻²~m/s while falling under gravity through an oil of density 925~kg~m⁻³. Take density of steel as 7825~kg~m⁻³ and g as 9.8~m/s². The viscosity of the oil in SI unit is :
  • A. 2.18
  • B. 2.38
  • C. 1.68
  • D. 1.99

Solution

Related Formula

Terminal velocity vₜ of a spherical body falling through a viscous fluid is given by Stokes' Law:

vₜ = (2)/(9) r² g (ρbody - ρfluid)η

Hence, the viscosity coefficient η is:

η = (2)/(9) r² g (ρbody - ρfluid)vₜ
Core Logic

Given parameters:

  • Diameter d = 3.6~mm ⇒ radius r = 1.8~mm = 1.8 × 10⁻³~m
  • Terminal velocity vₜ = 2.45 × 10⁻²~m/s
  • Liquid density ρfluid = 925~kg/m³
  • Steel density ρbody = 7825~kg/m³
  • Acceleration due to gravity g = 9.8~m/s²
Step 1: Substitute parameters into formula
η = (2)/(9) × (1.8 × 10⁻³)² × 9.8 × (7825 - 925)2.45 × 10⁻² η = (2)/(9) × 3.24 × 10⁻⁶ × 9.8 × 69002.45 × 10⁻²
Step 2: Solve the numeric calculation
η = 2 × 0.36 × 10⁻⁶ × 9.8 × 69002.45 × 10⁻² η = 0.72 × 9.8 × 6900 × 10⁻⁶2.45 × 10⁻² η = 48700.8 × 10⁻⁶2.45 × 10⁻² = (0.0487008)/(0.0245) ≈ 1.99~Pa· s
Pattern Recognition

Be careful when converting diameter to radius (

Pattern Recognition

Be careful when converting diameter to radius ($r = d/2$). Always ensure all numerical parameters are converted cleanly to SI base units (meters, kilograms, seconds) before applying Stokes' formula.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Q22 jee_main_2025_03_april_evening Excess Pressure in Soap Bubbles
The excess pressure inside a soap bubble A in air is half the excess pressure inside another soap bubble B in air. If the volume of the bubble A is n times the volume of the bubble B, then the value of n is ________.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 8 to 8

Solution

Related Formula

Excess pressure inside a soap bubble in air (which has two liquid-gas interfaces) is given by:

Δ P = (4T)/(R) ⇒ R ∝ (1)/(Δ P)

The volume V of a spherical bubble of radius R is:

V = (4)/(3)π R³ ⇒ V ∝ R³ ∝ ((1)/(Δ P))³
Core Logic

Given state:

Δ PA = (1)/(2) Δ PB ⇒ (Δ PB)/(Δ PA) = 2
Step 1: Calculate the ratio of radii
(RA)/(RB) = (Δ PB)/(Δ PA) = 2
Step 2: Calculate volume scaling parameter (n)
VA = n VB ⇒ n = (VA)/(VB) = ((RA)/(RB))³ = (2)³ = 8
Pattern Recognition

Volume scale factors depend on the cube of linear scale factors (V ∝ R³). Since radius is inversely proportional to excess pressure, a halving of excess pressure leads to doubling of radius, scaling volume by 2³ = 8.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Q22 jee_main_2025_08_april_evening Bulk Modulus
A sample of a liquid is kept at 1~atm. It is compressed to 5~atm which leads to change of volume of 0.8~cm³. If the bulk modulus of the liquid is 2~GPa, the initial volume of the liquid was ________ litre. (Take 1~atm = 10⁵~Pa)
Numerical Answer. Answer: 4 to 4

Solution

Related Formula
B = -(Δ P)/(Δ V / V) V = B (-Δ V)/(Δ P)

where, B = Bulk modulus of liquid Δ P = change in pressure Δ V = change in volume V = initial volume

Core Logic

Given parameters:

  • Initial pressure, Pᵢ = 1~atm
  • Final pressure, Pf = 5~atm
  • Change in pressure, Δ P = Pf - Pᵢ = 4~atm = 4 × 10⁵~Pa
  • Change in volume, Δ V = -0.8~cm³ = -0.8 × 10⁻⁶~m³
  • Bulk modulus, B = 2~GPa = 2 × 10⁹~Pa
Step 1: Compute Initial Volume

Substitute the parameters into the formula:

V = 2 × 10⁹ × 0.8 × 10⁻⁶4 × 10⁵ V = (1.6 × 10³)/(4 × 10⁵) = 0.4 × 10⁻² = 4 × 10⁻³~m³

Convert cubic meters to litres:

1~m³ = 1000~litres V = 4 × 10⁻³ × 1000 = 4~litres

Thus, the initial volume was 4~litres.

Pattern Recognition

Sees: Bulk modulus definition calculation. Trap: Watch out for unit conversions: 1~GPa = 10⁹~Pa, and 1~cm³ = 10⁻⁶~m³. Finally, express the answer in Litres, where 1~L = 10⁻³~m³. ✓

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

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