A cylindrical log of wood of height h and area of cross-section A floats in water. It is pressed and then released. Show that the log would execute S.H.M. with a time period.
where m is mass of the body and ρ is density of the liquid.
If we press a log downward into the liquid, a buoyant force acts on it, and due to inertia it moves upwards from its mean position & comes down again due to gravity.
Thus, the restoring force on the block = Buoyant force (B.F.) – mg
Volume of liquid displaces by block = V
When it floats,
mg = BF
Or,
…….. (i)
Area of crossection = A
Height of liquid block =
When pressed in water, the total height of the block in water =
Thus, net restoring force =
Frest …….. ( since BF is upward & x is downward)
Frest proportional to-x
Hence, the motion here is SHM.
Now,
Thus,
Frest
Thus,
Thus,