1. What is Ship Displacement?

Ship displacement refers to the weight of water displaced by a vessel, which equals the total weight of the ship according to Archimedes' principle. It's a crucial measurement in naval architecture and marine engineering.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the displacement formula:

Where:

• Underwater Volume — Volume of the submerged part of the hull (m³)
• Density — Density of the water (kg/m³)

Explanation: The formula calculates the weight of water displaced by the ship, which equals the ship's total weight when floating.

3. Importance of Displacement Calculation

Details: Displacement is fundamental for determining a ship's stability, buoyancy, and load capacity. It affects everything from design specifications to operational limitations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the underwater volume in cubic meters and water density in kg/m³ (typically 1025 kg/m³ for seawater, 1000 kg/m³ for freshwater).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between displacement and deadweight?
A: Displacement is the total weight of the ship including everything on board, while deadweight is the weight of cargo, fuel, etc. that the ship can carry.

Q2: How does water density affect displacement?
A: A ship will displace more volume in freshwater than in seawater because freshwater is less dense. The actual weight (displacement) remains the same.

Q3: What is light displacement vs loaded displacement?
A: Light displacement is the ship's weight without cargo, fuel, or stores. Loaded displacement includes everything when fully loaded.

Q4: How is underwater volume typically measured?
A: Naval architects calculate it from hull design drawings, or it can be measured by the change in water level when a ship is launched.

Q5: Why is displacement important for ship stability?
A: The relationship between the center of gravity and center of buoyancy (determined by displacement) affects a ship's stability at sea.