Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32162-592-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-32162-592-2

Chapter 10 - Fluids - General Problems - Page 289: 84

Answer

5.3 km.

Work Step by Step

We are told that the full height of the continent is H = 35 km. Let y represent the height of the continent above the surrounding mantle rock. The volume of mantle rock that is displaced is A(H-y). The buoyant force equals the weight of mantle rock that is displaced, and this equals the weight of the continent. $$\rho_{mantle}A(H-y)g=\rho_{continent}AHg$$ $$y=H(1-\frac{ \rho_{continent}}{\rho_{mantle}})=35km(1-\frac{2800\;kg/m^3}{3300\;kg/m^3})=5.3\;km$$
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