Question

The density of oil is less than that of water, yet a loaded oil tanker sits lower in the water than an empty one. Why?

Short answer

A tanker packed with oil has a higher average density than an empty tanker, and hence displaces more water.

Step-by-step solution

Conceptual Introduction

Fluid statics, often known as hydrostatics, is a branch of fluid mechanics that investigates the state of balance of a floating and submerged body, as well as the pressure in a fluid, or imposed by a fluid, on an immersed body.

Define the Buoyant force and floating

It is impossible to emphasize the importance of density in Archimedes' principle.

The average density of an object eventually determines whether or not it floats.

If its average density is less than that of the surrounding fluid, it will float.

This is because the fluid's density has increased, meaning it has more mass and hence greater weight in the same volume.

As a result, the buoyant force, which is equivalent to the weight of the displaced fluid, exceeds the weightof the item.

In the same way, an object with a higher density than the fluid sinks.

Explanation

Suppose the weight of the tanker is w kg.

The weight of the tanker filled with oil is W kg

Here we can clearly say w< W.

The buoyant force is directly proportional to the density of the substance,

Indirectly density is ratio of mass to the volume.

Hence it can be said that the buoyant force is proportional to the weight of the substance.

As the weight increases the buoyant force (upward force increases) increases.

The oil filled tank is sitting down because oil's density is lower than that of water, it floats on water.

However, a tanker packed with oil has a higher average density than an empty tanker, and hence displaces more water.

As a result, it rests in lower water while dislodging more water.