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Mass per surface area. A needle has a very small surface area thereby it can't displace its mass in water very well, while a ship has a very large surface area allowing it to push on a large volume of water to support its mass. A needle is like a sharp knife and a ship is like a very dull knife. By the way if you are very careful while placing you can get a needle to float on water.

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Why does a ship made of steel float while a needle sinks?

A ship made of steel floats because it has a hollow structure that displaces enough water to create buoyant force greater than its weight. A needle sinks because its density is greater than that of water, so it does not displace enough water to generate enough buoyant force to support its weight.


Why do needle sinks in water but ship floats?

Whether something sinks when it's placed on water is determined by the amount (weight) of water that it displaces. The needle, being small in size and relatively high in mass (relative to its size), displaces very little water when it is placed on the surface. The weight of the needle will be more than the weight of the water that it displaces and the needle will sink. The ship, though many times heavier than the needle, will displace alot more water than the needle. The ship will float if the weight of the displaced water is more than the weight of the ship.


What is reason that a steel ship floats while a steel needle sinks?

The steel ship floats because of its shape and displacement of water, creating an upward buoyant force greater than its weight. The steel needle sinks because of its small volume and weight relative to its size, leading to a downward force greater than the buoyant force acting on it.


Why the ship does not sink and a needle sinks?

A ship floats because it displaces a volume of water that is equal to the weight of the ship. The shape and material of the ship help distribute its weight and create buoyancy. On the other hand, a needle sinks because its weight is greater than the buoyant force it generates in water due to its small size and density.


Why a needle does not float whereas a heavy ship floats-?

A needle doesn't float because there is very little air in a needle. Metal is much more dense than wood, which is what most boats are made of. When a boat is made of metal, there are air stores inside of the boat that keep it afloat.

Related Questions

Why a needle drowned in water and a ship does not?

because a ship has a wider area to spread it`s surface on and a needle does not because a ship has a wider area to spread it`s surface on and a needle does not


A steel needle sinks in h20 but a steel ship floats?

The needle is solid, it's density higher than water's. The ship is hollow, its overall density lower than water's.


Why does a ship made of steel float while a needle sinks?

A ship made of steel floats because it has a hollow structure that displaces enough water to create buoyant force greater than its weight. A needle sinks because its density is greater than that of water, so it does not displace enough water to generate enough buoyant force to support its weight.


Why do needle sinks in water but ship floats?

Whether something sinks when it's placed on water is determined by the amount (weight) of water that it displaces. The needle, being small in size and relatively high in mass (relative to its size), displaces very little water when it is placed on the surface. The weight of the needle will be more than the weight of the water that it displaces and the needle will sink. The ship, though many times heavier than the needle, will displace alot more water than the needle. The ship will float if the weight of the displaced water is more than the weight of the ship.


What is reason that a steel ship floats while a steel needle sinks?

The steel ship floats because of its shape and displacement of water, creating an upward buoyant force greater than its weight. The steel needle sinks because of its small volume and weight relative to its size, leading to a downward force greater than the buoyant force acting on it.


If sirens sing and lure people into water do the mermaids drown the people in stead of the sirens?

No, the sirens sing to sailors who pass by islands with cliffs and either they jump ship and drown unable to reach the sirens atop the cliffs, or a sailor might navigate the ship into the cliffs to reach them thus killing everyone.


Why the ship does not sink and a needle sinks?

A ship floats because it displaces a volume of water that is equal to the weight of the ship. The shape and material of the ship help distribute its weight and create buoyancy. On the other hand, a needle sinks because its weight is greater than the buoyant force it generates in water due to its small size and density.


Did the titanic ever new that there ship will drown?

yah after they hit the iceberg


Why a needle does not float whereas a heavy ship floats-?

A needle doesn't float because there is very little air in a needle. Metal is much more dense than wood, which is what most boats are made of. When a boat is made of metal, there are air stores inside of the boat that keep it afloat.


How does the Space Needle look like?

From its name a space needle is a tower that has a space ship look on top and a needle on above it. Thus, it is called a "space needle."


What are pros and cons of being an explorer?

you get money(pro you can drown on your ship(con)


Why will a ship of steel sink while a ship of air wont?

It's possible that a ship of steel will not sink as well. But if it will sink, it would be because the density of steel is greater then the density of water, while air's density is lower then water's.