When a boat is at rest, the center of buoyancy acting upward is below the center of gravity acting downward. The boat is in what state?

When a boat is at rest, the center of buoyancy acting upward is below the center of gravity acting downward. The boat is in what state?

• A. EQUILIBRIUM
• B. DYNAMICS
• C. NAVIGATION
• D. ORIENTATION

Answer: (A)

The main idea is equilibrium. A floating boat at rest is in equilibrium because the weight pulling downward through the center of gravity and the buoyant force pushing upward through the center of buoyancy balance in magnitude and act along the same vertical line, producing no turning moment. The fact that the center of buoyancy is below the center of gravity describes their relative positions, but as long as the forces line up vertically, there is no rotation tendency and the boat remains at rest. If the boat were moving, or tilting, that could create a moment and dynamics would come into play, and orientation or navigation describe direction rather than the static balance of forces.

The main idea is equilibrium. A floating boat at rest is in equilibrium because the weight pulling downward through the center of gravity and the buoyant force pushing upward through the center of buoyancy balance in magnitude and act along the same vertical line, producing no turning moment. The fact that the center of buoyancy is below the center of gravity describes their relative positions, but as long as the forces line up vertically, there is no rotation tendency and the boat remains at rest. If the boat were moving, or tilting, that could create a moment and dynamics would come into play, and orientation or navigation describe direction rather than the static balance of forces.