How Do Ships Float Even Though They’re Heavy?

Imagine you're in a bathtub with water up to your waist. When you jump in, the water level goes up, that’s buoyancy at work! Ships are like giant bathtubs made of metal. Even though they’re heavy, they float because they push aside enough water to match their weight. It's all about balance: if a ship is too heavy or not wide enough, it might sink, just like you would if the tub were full and you jumped in!

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Examples

  1. A bathtub full of water can support the weight of a person, even if they're heavy.
  2. A rubber duck floats because it pushes aside enough water to match its weight.
  3. A ship is like a giant rubber duck, just much bigger and heavier.

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