Chapter 9: Gravitation

A weighing machine measures the body weight and is calibrated to indicate the mass. If we stand on a weighing machine, the weight acts downwards while the upthrust due to air acts upwards. So our apparent weight becomes less than the true weight. This apparent weight is measured by the weighing machine and therefore the mass indicated is less than the actual mass. So our actual mass will be more than 42 kg.

The correct answer is the cotton bag is heavier than an iron bar.  The bag of cotton is heavier than the bar of iron. The cotton bag experiences a larger air thrust than the iron bar. Therefore, the weighing machine indicates less weight than its actual weight for the cotton bag. The reason is

True weight = (apparent weight + up thrust)

The cotton bag’s density is less than that of the iron bar, so the volume of the cotton bag is more compared to the iron bar. So the cotton bag experience more upthrust due to the presence of air.

Therefore, in the presence of air, the cotton bag’s true weight is more compared to the true weight of the iron bar.