Question

An unloaded ship is filled with sand at its bottom so as to:

• A. Increase its weight, hence making its equilibrium stable.
• B. Shift its center of gravity upwards, hence making its equilibrium stable.
• C. Lower its center of gravity, hence making its equilibrium stable.
• D. None of these.

Answer 1

The correct option is C Lower its center of gravity, hence making its equilibrium stable.

An unloaded ship floats with its very small volume immersed inside water. The equilibrium is unstable and there is a danger of it being blown over by strong winds. So it is filled with sand at its bottom so as to lower its center of gravity, hence making its equilibrium stable.