Buoyancy Gizmos

Why do large ships, made mostly of metal, float on water while a small, solid metal ball sinks?

How does increasing an object’s volume without changing its mass affect its density?

How could you design an object to float even if it’s made from a dense material?

Why does a boat with a wider base area hold more weight before sinking?

How does Archimedes’ Principle help engineers design ships that carry heavy cargo?

If you were designing a real boat, what factors would you consider to maximize its load capacity?

How does changing the liquid density (e.g., saltwater vs. freshwater) affect buoyancy?