Re: [Phys-l] buoyancy on a submerged pole

[brian whatcott <betwys1@sbcglobal.net>]

On 11/5/2010 12:36 PM, John Clement wrote:
> I think a closeup of the lid would be very helpful.  The oh so light air
> should have compressed and lid deformed or bowed downward.  This would be
> more confirmation of compressive interaction between the lid and the
> aquarium.  To see the compression an object like a soda straw across the lid
> could be used as a reference.
>
> Nice experiment, but as I already said it is just a suction cup.
>
> John M. Clement
> Houston, TX


Hehe...."just a suction cup."         Obviously?

The interesting feature of the arrangement we are discussing is that a 
cup made of
infinitely stiff unobtainium (of the kind that can be approximated by a 
hemispherical
steel  cap) can be made to demonstrate this curious property of staying 
on the floor of a
decently flat conformable base, though it be submerged and full of oh-so 
light air.

Don't you agree?

Brian W