Explain why a ship made up of a metal like steel float on the Sea but the piece of steel metal sinks when dropped into the sea

Answer 1

A ship made up of steel can float on the sea due to the concept of buoyancy. Buoyancy is the force that causes an object to float in a fluid, such as water. It depends on the density of the object compared to the density of the fluid.

Steel is denser than water, which means that a solid piece of steel, like a block, is more dense than the water it displaces. When an object is denser than the fluid it is placed in, it sinks because the downward force of gravity is greater than the upward force of buoyancy.

However, a ship is not a solid block of steel, but a hollow structure with much of its volume filled with air or other substances that are less dense than water. The overall density of the ship is reduced, and it displaces a larger volume of water. This displacement causes an upward buoyant force that counteracts the force of gravity, allowing the ship to float.

The shape of the ship also plays a significant role. Ships are designed with a wide, hollow hull that distributes the weight over a larger area, reducing the pressure exerted on the water. This design allows the buoyant force to be greater than the weight of the ship, enabling it to float.

In summary, the hollow structure and shape of a ship made of steel, filled with air and designed to displace a larger volume of water, helps reduce its overall density, making it less dense than the water it displaces. As a result, the upward buoyant force is greater than gravity's downward force, allowing the ship to float on the sea.