---
title: "A student wants to determine the density of an unknown liquid. They have a block of known density \\( \\rho_b \\) and volume \\( V \\). When the block is placed in the liquid, it sinks and rests on the bottom. A spring scale attached to the block reads a tension \\( T \\). Which formula should the student use to find the liquid density \\( \\rho_L \\)?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/107160/"
date_modified: "2026-08-18T02:38:17+00:00"
---

# A student wants to determine the density of an unknown liquid. They have a block of known density \( \rho_b \) and volume \( V \). When the block is placed in the liquid, it sinks and rests on the bottom. A spring scale attached to the block reads a tension \( T \). Which formula should the student use to find the liquid density \( \rho_L \)?

A student wants to determine the density of an unknown liquid. They have a block of known density \( \rho_b \) and volume \( V \). When the block is placed in the liquid, it sinks and rests on the bottom. A spring scale attached to the block reads a tension \( T \). Which formula should the student use to find the liquid density \( \rho_L \)?

- **A.** \[ \rho_L = \frac{T + \rho_b V g}{V g} \]
- **B.** \[ \rho_L = \rho_b – \frac{T}{V} \]
- **C.** \[ \rho_L = \frac{T}{V g} \]
- **D.** \[ \rho_L = \frac{\rho_b V g – T}{V g} \]

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/107160/*