Aproduct designer for a range of nautical safety devices conceives of a floating container in which emergency supplies can be
stored, which would automatically become detached from a boat
if it sunk. the container is to be a cylinder with a radius of 20 cm
and a height of 1 m. when in the water 20% of the volume of the
container must be above the surface. the container is attached to
the deck of the boat by a cord which should break as the boat sinks
and the container is submerged and pushed upwards by it’s own
buoyancy.
(a) what is the maximum mass of the container and it’s contents?
(b) at what tension should the cord attaching the container to
the boat break?