Why an iron nail sinks when an iron ship float?

Question

science physics

Answer 1

an iron nail is solid, and has a high density. density is the ratio of how much air space there is to matter. a iron ship is hollow and floats because more of its size is air rather than iron.

Answer 2

Because the iron ship is hollow.

If you took the iron (actually steel) ship and compressed it down to a ball, so there was no empty space, it would sink like a stone.

The hollow space provides buoyancy as it's weight is a lot less than an equivalent volume of water. This buoyancy results in an upwards force that is larger than the downwards force from the weight of the steel.

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Answer 3

ship is hollow, nail is not