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Re: [Phys-l] floating cork



I believe the buoyant force will exert a torque on the cork until it is more-or-less perpendicular to the water surface. And you do have the results backward. The cork "rises" to the higher level of water.

Actually, with the help of many others, I've figured this one out. Thanks for the input.

Bill



On Apr 19, 2011, at 4:23 PM, Bill Nettles wrote:

Don't assume that the "net buoyant force" is vertical. The cork is not supported by the surface tension, but if the meniscus is there, one part of the cork is deeper than another, causing the buoyant force to be tilted. Another way to consider it is by looking at the normal forces acting on the cork at the cork/water interface. The "deeper" side of the cork will have a larger force so the net force is toward the low side of the meniscus, whether that is the center or the edge.

I hope I haven't gotten anything backwards here.