Question

What ocean depth would the volume of an aluminium sphere be reduced by 0.10%

Answer 1

Answer:

6400 m

Explanation:

You need to use the bulk modulus, K:

K = ρ dP/dρ

where ρ is density and P is pressure

Since ρ is changing by very little, we can say:

K ≈ ρ ΔP/Δρ

Therefore, solving for ΔP:

ΔP = K Δρ / ρ

We can calculate K from Young's modulus (E) and Poisson's ratio (ν):

K = E / (3 (1 - 2ν))

Substituting:

ΔP = E / (3 (1 - 2ν)) (Δρ / ρ)

Before compression:

ρ = m / V

After compression:

ρ+Δρ = m / (V - 0.001 V)

ρ+Δρ = m / (0.999 V)

ρ+Δρ = ρ / 0.999

1 + (Δρ/ρ) = 1 / 0.999

Δρ/ρ = (1 / 0.999) - 1

Δρ/ρ = 0.001 / 0.999

Given:

E = 69 GPa = 69×10⁹ Pa

ν = 0.32

ΔP = 69×10⁹ Pa / (3 (1 - 2×0.32)) (0.001/0.999)

ΔP = 64.0×10⁶ Pa

If we assume seawater density is constant at 1027 kg/m³, then:

ρgh = P

(1027 kg/m³) (9.81 m/s²) h = 64.0×10⁶ Pa

h = 6350 m

Rounded to two sig-figs, the ocean depth at which the sphere's volume is reduced by 0.10% is approximately 6400 m.