Overview

Here are some problems as exercises. Remember, you should try to find the answers not by guessing, but by using the rules and methods learned so far. If you have difficulties with the physics, consult a textbook for reference.

Problem 68: The Treasure of Pirate Flint

For a long time an expedition had been searching for Flint's treasure. Finally, with an underwater telecamera, the chest containing the treasure was found. This strong wooden chest was lying on the bottom of the ocean 500 meters deep. The chest was half buried in sand. After the initial excitement wore off, members of the expedition began to think about how to bring the chest to the surface. Usually, lost cargo was lifted with the help of pontoons. A pontoon is a closed metal container or tank. A pontoon filled with water is dropped into the ocean and connected to the cargo. Then the water is displaced with compressed air and the pontoon rises lifting the cargo.

"Piasters, piasters," said the head of the expedition gloomily. "But how can we lift those piasters? We have a pontoon, but how can we connect it to the chest? Divers can not go down that deep, and we do not have robots. All we have is an underwater telecamera and a pontoon."

And the Inventor appeared of course.

"Let us formulate the Ideal Final Result," he said. "The pontoon is lowered onto the top of the chest. This we can do without any problem...