5 L of kerosene was poured into a 1 kg canister. What force must be applied to lift the can?

Given:

m1 = 1 kilogram is the mass of the can;

V = 5 liters – the volume of kerosene poured into the can;

ro = 800 kg / m3 (kilogram per cubic meter) – density of kerosene;

g = 9.8 N / kg (Newton / kilogram) – acceleration of gravity.

It is required to determine F (Newton) – what force must be applied to raise the can.

Let’s translate the units of measurement of volume in the SI system:

V = 5 liters = 5 dm3 = 5 * 10-3 = 5/1000 = 0.005 m3.

Then the mass of kerosene will be equal to:

m2 = ro * V = 800 * 0.005 = 4 kilograms.

The total mass of the can and kerosene will be equal to:

m = m1 + m2 = 1 + 4 = 5 kilograms.

Assuming that the can will be lifted evenly, we define the force:

F = F gravity = m * g = 5 * 9.8 = 49 Newtons.

Answer: to lift the can, you need to apply a force equal to 49 Newtons.