Why Ships Do Not Sink

Correct Responses

• Refers to buoyancy (total weight of the metal plus air in the ship is less than the weight of the displaced water) or density differences.
  • Examples:
    • Because of the way the metal is shaped. It has air in it. It has something to do buoyancy.
    • Inside the ship there is air and air is lighter than water. The sum of the metal and air per square meter weighs less than that of water. So it floats.
• Refers to the air inside the ship, ships being hollow or ships not made of solid metal.
  • Examples:
    • Because it’s not totally metal. It has other materials that might help keep it afloat.
    • Because it is hollow. So, it floats.

Incorrect Responses

• Refers only to the ship being made out of a special type of metal or other material.
  • Examples:
    • It is made of a different metal like copper and other metals which does not sink.
    • Ship is made of soft metal.
• Mentions only the shape of the ship but with no mention of air or weight/density effects.
  • Examples:
    • The bottom of the ship is not a flat surface but a diagonally pointed one.
• Other incorrect

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