The Art of Sinking

How can a steel boat dive, remain underwater and come back up? Investigate air-filled tanks, weight, water pressure, balance and steering inside a model of a historical fleet submarine. Eight investigations for ages 12 and up.

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Sink, hang and level

Lesson 1

Holes in the Bottom

How can tanks with open holes underwater stay full of air?

Start

Lesson 2

Neither Up Nor Down

A submarine can stay underwater without rising or sinking. How can the crew balance it so precisely when the whole boat is so heavy?

Start

Lesson 3

Three Tonnes in Two Thousand

A small load is removed from the front of a submarine. Why can the boat both rise and tip, even though almost all its weight stays the same?

Start

Holding her steady

Lesson 4

The Wobbly Moment

The same heavy boxes make a submarine lean more at some points in a dive than at others. Why?

Start

Lesson 5

Wings in the Water

How can a submarine climb through the water without getting any lighter?

Start

Down and back up

Lesson 6

Heavier the Deeper?

A balanced submarine goes deeper and starts to drift up or down, though nothing was added. What changed?

Start

Lesson 7

The Price of Air

A submarine uses stored air to push water out of its tanks. Why does emptying the same tanks use more of that air deep down than near the surface?

Start

Lesson 8

Dive! Dive!

The crew empty a small tank before the diving boat reaches the depth they want. Why do it early?

Start

Review and assessment

Lesson 9

Test: The Art of Sinking

Review the course ideas by applying them to new situations, with kind feedback after every answer.

Locked till you take the prior lesson