Question

An iron nail sinks in water but a ship made from iron floats in water. Why?

• A. The weight of the nail is more than the upthrust experienced by it
• B. The average density of the ship is less than the density of water
• C. Both A & B
• D. Unsure

Answer 1

The correct option is C Both A & B

Explanation: the density of iron is more than the density of water therefore the weight of the nail is more than the upthrust experienced by it causing it to sink. However a ship although much larger than the nail floats because the ship is hollow from inside and this space is filled with air which reduces the average density of the ship lower than that of water. Thus even with a small portion of the ship submerged under water, the weight of the water displaced by it becomes equal to the weight of the entire ship.