A cube of edge length 0.5 m is completely submerged in water. The cube has a density of 400 kg/m³. What is the buoyant force acting on the cube? (Density of water = 1000 kg/m³, g = 9.8 m/s²)

Core Concept

The buoyant force equals the weight of the displaced fluid, F_b = ρ_fluid × V_displaced × g. The volume of the cube is (0.5 m)³ = 0.125 m³. F_b = (1000 kg/m³)(0.125 m³)(9.8 m/s²) = 490 N.