An iron needle sinks in water whereas a ship made of iron floats on it...
Because the specific gravity of the needle is greater than that of water displaced by it. Specific gravity (or relative density) = Density of the substance / Density of the water at 4°C The average density of iron needle is greater than water, therefore, it sinks.
View all questions of this test
An iron needle sinks in water whereas a ship made of iron floats on it...
Specific gravity of the needle is greater than that of water displaces by it
An iron needle sinks in water whereas a ship made of iron floats on it...
Explanation:
When an object is placed in a fluid, it experiences an upward force called buoyant force. This force is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. If the buoyant force is greater than the weight of the object, the object will float. If the buoyant force is less than the weight of the object, the object will sink.
Specific Gravity:
Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance (usually water). If the specific gravity of a substance is less than 1, it will float in water. If the specific gravity is greater than 1, it will sink in water.
Comparing the Needle and the Ship:
1. Shape: The shape of the object affects the distribution of weight and the ability to displace water. The needle is thin and pointed, which means that a small amount of water is displaced by its volume. On the other hand, the ship is flat and has a large surface area, allowing it to displace a greater volume of water.
2. Weight: The weight of the object is determined by its mass and the force of gravity acting on it. The needle is small and has a relatively low weight compared to the ship, which is much larger and heavier.
3. Specific Gravity: The specific gravity of the needle is greater than that of water, which means that it is denser than water. As a result, the needle sinks when placed in water because the buoyant force is less than its weight.
4. Water Displacement: The ship, despite being made of iron, is designed in a way that allows it to displace a large volume of water. The weight of the water displaced by the ship is greater than its weight, creating a buoyant force that keeps it afloat.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the iron needle sinks in water because its specific gravity is greater than that of water. On the other hand, the ship made of iron floats on water because the weight of the water it displaces is greater than its own weight.