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What principle explains why a ship made of iron floats on water while a sheet of the same material sinks?
- a)Archimedes’ Principle
- b)Pascal’s Law
- c)Newton’s Third Law
- d)Bernoulli’s Principle
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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What principle explains why a ship made of iron floats on water while ...
Understanding Why Iron Ships Float
The principle that explains why a ship made of iron floats on water while a solid sheet of the same material sinks is known as Archimedes' Principle.
Archimedes' Principle Explained
- Archimedes' Principle states that any object submerged in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.
- For a ship, although it is made of iron (which is denser than water), its design allows it to displace a large volume of water.
Buoyancy vs. Weight
- When a ship is placed in water, it pushes aside a volume of water equal to its hull's submerged area.
- The weight of the water displaced generates a buoyant force that is greater than or equal to the weight of the ship itself, allowing it to float.
Comparison with a Solid Sheet
- In contrast, a solid sheet of iron has a much smaller volume compared to the weight it possesses.
- When placed in water, it displaces only a small amount of water relative to its weight, resulting in an insufficient buoyant force. Hence, it sinks.
Key Takeaway
- The design of the ship, which includes a hollow hull, increases the volume of water displaced, allowing the ship to float due to the balance of forces described by Archimedes' Principle.
- Thus, the ability of ships to float, despite being made of dense materials like iron, illustrates the fundamental laws of buoyancy and displacement.
The principle that explains why a ship made of iron floats on water while a solid sheet of the same material sinks is known as Archimedes' Principle.
Archimedes' Principle Explained
- Archimedes' Principle states that any object submerged in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.
- For a ship, although it is made of iron (which is denser than water), its design allows it to displace a large volume of water.
Buoyancy vs. Weight
- When a ship is placed in water, it pushes aside a volume of water equal to its hull's submerged area.
- The weight of the water displaced generates a buoyant force that is greater than or equal to the weight of the ship itself, allowing it to float.
Comparison with a Solid Sheet
- In contrast, a solid sheet of iron has a much smaller volume compared to the weight it possesses.
- When placed in water, it displaces only a small amount of water relative to its weight, resulting in an insufficient buoyant force. Hence, it sinks.
Key Takeaway
- The design of the ship, which includes a hollow hull, increases the volume of water displaced, allowing the ship to float due to the balance of forces described by Archimedes' Principle.
- Thus, the ability of ships to float, despite being made of dense materials like iron, illustrates the fundamental laws of buoyancy and displacement.
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What principle explains why a ship made of iron floats on water while ...
Archimedes’ Principle explains why a ship made of iron floats on water while a sheet of the same material sinks. According to this principle, an object will float if the buoyant force (equal to the weight of the displaced fluid) is greater than or equal to the weight of the object. A ship has a large volume, which displaces a substantial amount of water, generating a buoyant force that supports its weight. Conversely, a thin sheet of iron displaces less water, resulting in insufficient buoyant force to counteract its weight, causing it to sink.
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