Why do boats float?
by 
wickedwillie
ANSWERS: 3
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It's based on the Archimedes' Principle which basically states than an object placed in water will displace an equal amount of water weight as its own weight. For example, a 2,000 lb boat will displace 2,000 lb of water. The displaced water will then push back on the object. So, the 2,000 lbs of water will push back on the 2,000 lb boat keeping it afloat.
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In addition to the answer 1. The volume of the body is important. If the object was 2000lbs of solid steel it would only displace it's own volume of water. Thus the water would not be 2000lbs in weight (or upthrust) but whatever weight of water that volume represents. If the 2000lbs of steel is in the form of a sealed cylinder then as long as it's volume is greater than the volume of 2000lbs of water it will float. It doesn't have to be sealed, just able to resist the inflow of the water as in a bathtub or a ship's hull.
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With its empty spaces, the average density of the boat is less than the density of water.
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