SET 1

Question: How does a ship float?

Concept

When a ship is put in water:

• The ship pushes water aside. This is called displacement of water.

• Water pushes the ship upwards. This upward push is called the buoyant force.

• If the upward force from water is equal to the weight of the ship, the ship floats.

Even though ships are made of heavy steel, they are hollow inside.
Because of this hollow shape, the ship’s average density becomes less than water, so it can float.

Physics Laws used in this question

Archimedes’ Principle – The upward force on a body in water is equal to the weight of water displaced.

Law of Floatation – A body floats when its weight equals the weight of water displaced.

Related topic of this question

Buoyancy (Upthrust), Density, Fluid Mechanics

Interview Style Answer

A ship floats because of the buoyant force. When a ship is placed in water, it displaces a large amount of water. According to Archimedes’ principle, the water pushes the ship upward with a force equal to the weight of the displaced water. Since the ship is hollow, its average density becomes less than water, so the upward force balances its weight and the ship floats.

Short and Crisp Answer

A ship floats because it displaces a large amount of water, and water pushes it upward.

YouTube Video Link

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