A large ocean liner floating in the sea has a volume of 375 000 square meter and displaces 50 000 square meter of sea water. Determine the density and mass of the ship. explain why, despite being made of metal, the ship is able to float.
We need to use the formula:
Density = Mass / Volume
Density = 50 000 / 375 000 = 0.1333 kg/m^3
To find the mass of the ship, we use the formula:
Mass = Density x Volume
Mass = 0.1333 x 375 000 = 50 000 kg
Despite being made of metal, the ship is able to float because its weight is spread over a large area, which increases the buoyant force acting on it. The buoyant force is equal to the weight of the water displaced by the ship. Since the ship's volume is larger than the volume of water it displaces, the buoyant force is greater than the weight of the ship, allowing it to float.