Question

Atmospheric pressure varies from day to day. The level of a floating ship on a high-pressure day is (a) higher (b) lower, or (c) no different than on a low-pressure day.

Answer 1

Answer:

(c) no different than on a low-pressure day.

Explanation:

The force acting on the ship when it floats in water is the buoyant force. According to the Archimedes' principle: The magnitude of buoyant force acting on the body of the object is equal to the volume displaced by the object.

Thus, Buoyant forces are a volume phenomenon and is determined by the volume of the fluid displaced.  

Whether it is a high pressure day or a low pressure day, the level of the floating ship is unaffected because the increased or decreased pressure at the all the points of the water and the ship and there will be no change in the volume of the water displaced by the ship.