The device shown in the photographs at the left and the center (close-up) below, called a siphon balance, consists of a beam balance with identical beakers of water positioned equally from the center line so that the system is in balance in a horizontal position, as indicated by a level in the close-up photograph at the right. A tube filled with water connects the two beakers, as seen in the center photograph. In the picture at the center we have used azure blue water from the Caribbean Sea so that it is more visible.
A wooden block, shown in the photograph at the left below, is now placed on top of beaker at the right on the balance. Immediately after the wooden block is positioned on the top of the beaker, the system becomes unbalanced, as seen in the photograph at the right below.
The question this week involves what the system will do some time after the photograph at the right was taken, allowing everything time to come to its new equilibrium condition.
After the system comes to its new equilibrium condition:
Click here for Answer #164 after November 17, 2003.
