How does an iron ship float?

Answer by  nuttree (1596)

An object floats if the water it displaces is heavier than the object itself. A bar of iron sinks because it weighs more than the water it displaces. But if you use that iron to build a hull, it will enclose a large space and displace a large volume of water, weighing more than the iron. So it will float.

Answer by  Palolo (17)

An iron ship floats for the same reason as any other well designed boat. Boats are held afloat by water pushing the boat back up just as much as the boat pushes down. According to Newton's second law of physics a good boat of ANY material floats, regardless of weight.

Answer by  mrandy (140)

The force pulling things up in the water is called Archimedes (also Buoyancy) force. This force pulling objects up in the water depends on the volume of the object. So heavy iron ships have to be very big not to sink.