Question

The largest ship in Christopher Columbus' "fleet" was the Santa Maria, which displaced about 100 tons (1 ton = 2,000 pounds) of seawater when fully loaded. Assuming the average density of seawater surrounding the ship was 1.024 g mL^-1, calculate the total volume of seawater (in m³) displaced by the ship's hull.

Answer 1

Mass of sea water displaced by the ship = 100 tons

= 100 x 2000 lbs

= 200000 x 453.59237 grams ( 1 lb = 453.59237 grams)

= 90718474 grams

volume of sea water displaced = mass/density

= 90718474 grams/ 1.024 g mL^-1

= 88592259.76 ml

1 ml = 10^-6 m³

volume of water in m³ = 88592259.76 ml x 10^-6

= 88.592 m³