Question

A beaker full of water is suspended from a spring balance. Will the reading of the balance change.
(a) if a cork is placed in water?
(b) if a piece of heavy metal is placed in it?

Answer 1

(a) The beaker is suspended from a spring balance. If an object is added to the beaker, the net weight held by the spring balance increases. Thus, the reading of the spring balance will increase by the weight of the cork.

(b) The beaker is suspended from a spring balance. If an object is added to the beaker, the net weight held by the spring balance increases. Thus, the reading of the spring balance will increase by the weight of the heavy metal.