Sinking Battleships

Copper shot, a large beaker, a small beaker of copper shot, and a vis-a-vis marker rest on a table.

Concept Overview:

1. Buoyant Force

Lecturer Procedure

Step(s) to Follow	Expected Result
1. Float the smaller beaker in the larger beaker. 2. Draw the water line with the marker. 3. Ask students to make a prediction as to what will happen to the water level when the beaker sinks. 4. Sink the beaker. 5. Note the new water line.	The water level will drop. Since copper's density (8.96 g/cm^3) is more than that of water, less water is displaced when the "ship" is sunk.

Step(s) to Follow

Expected Result

1. Float the smaller beaker in the larger beaker.

2. Draw the water line with the marker.

3. Ask students to make a prediction as to what will happen to the water level when the beaker sinks.

4. Sink the beaker.

5. Note the new water line.

The water level will drop. Since copper's density (8.96 g/cm^3) is more than that of water, less water is displaced when the "ship" is sunk.

Further explanation:

The buoyant force (equal to the weight of the water that is displaced) equals the weight of the beaker + copper shot when the battleship floats. But, when sunk, only the volume of the glass + copper is displaced.