2006-10-12 10:38:00 · 6 answers · asked by ROswA 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I am a Ship Captain and I can tell you that the movement of the ship is nothing but straight.
2006-10-12 10:42:40 · answer #1 · answered by MARS1951 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The rudder of a ship is designed to effect a large change in the direction of the ship by applying a small force. Any disturbance in that area can have a significant affect on direction. Waves, turbulence, and currents can vary. Also, the superstructure of any vessel acts as a sail, so changes in the wind will affect its direction. Play in the steering mechanism allows the rudder to move even if the wheel doesn't. That's why the human skipper or mechanical autopilot is always monitoring the actual direction and making corrections. This is even more true for a sailboat.
2006-10-13 02:12:39 · answer #2 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It only happens if there is current that is perpendiclar to the direction where the ship is heading. Then your ship may need to slight tilted to compensate the ocean current direction.
2006-10-12 17:45:51 · answer #3 · answered by Passerby 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At any given instant of time it is straight. Course changes may be necessary to compensate for wind, currentscoriolis etc.
2006-10-12 17:49:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're asking as far as a Mercadure projection, it's because of curvature of the earth.
2006-10-12 18:59:44 · answer #5 · answered by Max J 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the ocean moves. and there's a lot more ocean than there is ship.
2006-10-12 17:45:12 · answer #6 · answered by practicalwizard 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋