Answer:
1.67 m
Explanation:
The potential energy change of the small ball ΔU equals the work done by the buoyant force, W
ΔU = -W
Now ΔU = mgΔh where m = mass of small ball = ρV where ρ = density of small ball and V = volume of small ball. Δh = h - h' where h = final depth of small ball and h' = initial height of small ball = 5 m. Δh = h - 5
ΔU = mgΔh
ΔU = ρVgΔh
Now, W = ρ'VgΔh' where ρ = density of water and V = volume of water displaced = volume of small ball. Δh' = h - h' where h = final depth of small ball and h' = initial depth of small ball at water surface = 0 m. Δh' = h - h' = h - 0 = h
So, ΔU = -W
ρVgΔh = -ρ'VgΔh'
ρVg(h - 5) = -ρ'Vgh
ρ(h - 5) = -ρ'h
Since the density of the small ball equals 1/2 the density of water,
ρ = ρ'/2
ρ(h - 5) = -ρ'h
(ρ'/2)(h - 5) = -ρ'h
ρ'(h - 5)/2 = -ρ'h
(h - 5)/2 = -h
h - 5 = -2h
h + 2h = 5
3h = 5
h = 5/3
h = 1.67 m
So, the maximum depth the ball reaches is 1.67 m.
