Question

If there was a raingutter and it was resting on two scales, one on each end, and you added an object that floats on the left side, would the scales show the same weight? or would the left scale go up? or the right?

Answer 1

instantaneously, the left would move down, cos there's a collision

but it would even out, probably in most realistic circs pretty much instantaneously.

what do you think?

Answer 2

so your saying after a while, the scales would be the same?

Answer 3

Since your added object floats, both scales would go up equally. And in fact, it doesn't matter where you place the object in the water - left, middle or right. Why? Answer: A floating object (such as a boat) displaces exactly it's weight. Since the water will seek equilibrium, the new weight is displaced equally throughout the entire body after any disturbance caused by it's introduction subsides. The result would be identical to the effect of simply adding more water.

Answer 4

yes @3Redsons


i don't think i helped by mentioning the initial introduction of the floating object, even though it introduces an retricemetry .

in the end, the scales would reflect the increase in mass which would be distributed symmetrically along the gutter.

see @daved1948 's explanation of stuff moving around, that's better for your purposes i reckon

also I think we are 5 posts in and here's but the first mention:

- Archimede's Principle

"A floating body displaces its own mass of the fluid in which it floats"

This is the insight. You can use that idea to answer this question in your head. The volume of water displaced by the floating object will have the same mass as the floating object. If the gutter were already fill to the brim, this mass of overflow would equal the mass of the floating object once it was inserted into the gutter.