Submarine

1) Introduction

Submarines are vessels that have the ability to travel underwater. With the physics principles of density and buoyancy, they can float or sink. The first military submarine, the Turtle, was built during the American Revolution (1775-1783). During World War I and World War II, the submarine played an important part in naval warfare. Other than military warfare, submarines are used in research and occasionally in tourism.

2) Submarine Basics

Submarines typically have a hull, sail, rudder, propeller, sail and stern planes as well as ballast tanks.

The hull, also known as a pressure hull, keeps water from entering the inside of the submarine. It also helps the submarine to withstand the extreme water pressure in the depths of the sea.

The sail contains equipment such as the periscope, radio antenna and sail planes.

The rudder helps to steer the submarine left and right.

Lastly, the propellers help to drive the submarine forward.

The ballast tanks help the submarine to control its buoyancy. Air is less dense than water. Therefore, the submarine will float when its ballast tanks are filled with air. However, when the ballast tanks are filled with water, the submarine becomes denser and it sinks.

3) Forces and other design consideration

Some of the forces acting on submarines are buoyant force, gravitational force, engine force and water resistance.

Buoyant force is the upward force acting on the submarine. On the other hand, gravitational force is the downward force acting on the submarine. Both engine force and water resistance are forces that only occur when the submarine is moving. Engine force is the force that propels the submarine forward. Finally, water resistance is the force that acts against th...

... middle of paper ...

...to the model submarine.

5. I tested the model submarine in a large pail of water. The model submarine initially floated and I added more water to the main body.

6. When the model submarine sunk, I poured out water to decrease its mass, making it less dense. When the model submarine floated, I filled in more water into the main body to increase its density.

7. Finally, after several trials, the model submarine reached the ideal buoyancy and suspended in the water.

7) Conclusion

I learned about the application of physics concepts such as density, pressure and forces in the construction of the model submarine. The model submarine floats when it has less density. When the model submarine is denser, it sinks.

I also learned about the factors that affect the buoyancy of a submarine. In a nutshell, this project was an interesting and challenging learning experience.