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Boat Float

Web Quest for Physics

 

 

Introduction

Can you feel the wind whipping around you as you steer your yacht out to the seven seas? OK, so you are not exactly ON a yacht, but you can get the feeling of owning a boat you’ve constructed yourself…at least one that really floats!

 

Task

You will construct a stably floating boat in such a way that it will hold the greatest amount of weight compared to the weight of the boat when placed in water.  You will also write a one-page report of your research with a timeline.

 

Process

  1. Form 3-member teams for this project.

  2. Use the Big6 research method to help in this project.

  3. Brainstorm (write down) a list of sources where you might find information on boat designs and the Archimedes principle.

  4. Review the History of Sailing Ships

  5. Review the types of boats at Inventing Water Transportation

  6. Review how boats float at these sites:

Buoyancy Basics

How does a heavy boat float?

Why does a boat plane?

Why boats float and elephants sink

Why can boats made of steel float…

What makes a boat float?

  1. Review these sites for information on Archimedes Principle:

Archimedes Principle

Buoyancy: Archimedes Principle

  1. Also look in the reference section of the library in encyclopedias for information on different types of boats and buoyancy or the online encyclopedias at the Italy High School Library web site.

  2. After you understand these concepts, then you are to follow these regulations to build your boat.  Each boat must fit inside a closed box of sides 20 cm. X 20 cm. X 20 cm. The interior of the boat must be able to accommodate the weights that will be used for testing.  It must hold at least 1 kg. 

  3. The only materials you may use to build your boat are cardboard, tape, and glue of any kind.

  4. Each boat shall have one trial.  The boat will be placed in the water, without an added load, until it reaches equilibrium (floating upright on its own).  I will add weights slowly and in any configuration I choose.  If at any time during the above process the inside of the boat gets wet (the part with the weights), the boat is considered to have sunk.

  5. You will write a one-page report of your research and include a timeline.

  6. You will also submit an analysis/self evaluation on how well you think you did on this project.  Include:

--What did I do right?

--What did I do wrong?

--What would I change if I could?

--How could I make the project better?

 

Evaluation

The boat will be scored according the ratio of weight held by the boat before sinking (not including the last weight added which caused the boat to sink.  Grades for this project will be based on thoroughness, creativity, and effectiveness of design. The report counts 20 points, creativity counts 10 points, and following directions counts 60 points.   Point breakdown will be as follows:

1st place—10 points

2nd place—8 points

3rd place—6 points

4th place—4 points

5th place—2 points

 

Due date:  December 7, 2004  NO late projects will be accepted!

 

Conclusion

At the end of this project you will become more acquainted with buoyancy and the Archimedes Principle and understand the concept of how boats float.

 

Credits

Clip art courtesy of CoolClips.

 

revised 16 February 2006