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Need Ideas for Physics Project

We're learning about Archimede's principle, basically how to support 10 pounds in a boat, you have to displace 10 pounds

Now, we are given one posterboard and a meter of packing tape.

As of now, I don't have any ideas, it can be any shape we want. The boat we build has to support a brick that weighs 2.535KG and is 20cm wide, 10cm length, and 6 cm high.
 
Originally posted by: bleuiko
Brick shaped? Brain not working tonight.

Edited for spelling due to above.

No, the boat we build can be any shape, but has to support a brick being placed in it

Late for me too, excuse any errors in my post 😛
 
You are going to have to displace ~2.6 liters of water. Since you only have a meter of packing tape, you will need to conserve joints. This also means no joints under the brick. In addition, since you are using poasterboard, the weight of the water can colapse the sides. this means you can not go very deep. The deeper the greater the pressure on the sides.

I suuggest making a 'U' shapped hull with a flat bow and stern, or as big a cone shape as possible, with a double thick lower 1/4 to prevent brick punchthrough. Granted a cone will have very little stability, but you don't mention that it has to float without guidance in staying vertical.
 
Originally posted by: her209
Use calculus to find the maximum amount of volume you can create with the given posterboard.

It is not all about volume. there is a limitation on seams as well. (1 meter of tape) As long as the volume is > 2.6 Liters, he will be fine. (assuming the posterboard weighs about nothing)

In addition, we are not talking only displacement. The structure must withstand the pressure of the water pushing on the sides. (best by making round or short sides.) If you make a boat that displaces 2000 tones, but the hull is made of styrofoam, do you think you can put 2000 tones in it?
 
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