2006-09-22 02:33:00 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
An object will float if it displaces more water (by weight) than it's own weight. Ships do this by having a curved V design on the bottom, and also because even a container ship as a significant amount of air inside it.
This is why ships can sink if they get a hole below the water line: when the water rushes in, it increases the weight of the ship. If the new weight is greater than the displacement, it sinks.
2006-09-22 02:38:09 · answer #1 · answered by ³√carthagebrujah 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they are bouyed up by a force equal to the weight of the water displaced.
2006-09-22 02:41:49 · answer #2 · answered by Max 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ships overall are actually less dense than water due to their shape. If you find the volume of a ship, then divide by the weight of the materials used to make it, you'll find it is actually less dense than water, allowing it to float.
2006-09-22 02:41:23 · answer #3 · answered by Steven B 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
displacement is the key
2006-09-22 02:48:45 · answer #4 · answered by seanachie60 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋