Question

Why a iron nail sinks and a ship float

Answer 1

Answer:

As the density of an iron nail is more than that of water, the nail sinks in water. But a huge ship made of iron floats. This is because of its shape

Explanation:

Answer 2

The ability of an object to float on water does not depend on its size or mass. It instead depends on its density in comparison to that of water.

The density of iron is more than that of water. Hence, it sinks.

Now ships are made of heavy metals like iron, aluminium which have high densities. So, ships must also sink. But that does not happen. This is because ships have large air pockets in the middle of the outer layer of metal. The air inside the ship reduces the overall density of the ship, and enables it to float in water