# A large cargo ship floats on the sea. The ship has a flat-bottomed hull with a total area in contact with the water of 4000 m². The same ship, when fully loaded with cargo, sinks deeper into the water. Explain why the fully loaded ship exerts a greater pressure on the water beneath its hull than the empty ship does.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Physics (0625) — 1.8 Pressure · Explain · 4 marks

> Pressure is defined as the force per unit area acting on a surface. When an object rests on or in a fluid, it exerts a downward force equal to its weight over the area of contact.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Loading the ship increases its total weight (downward force)
2. The area of the hull in contact with the water remains the same (or does not increase sufficiently to compensate)
3. Pressure = force ÷ area, so greater force with the same area gives greater pressure
4. Therefore the pressure on the water beneath the hull is greater for the loaded ship

## Key terms

- [pressure](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/pressure)
- [area](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/area)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Cambridge International IGCSE Physics (0625)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-large-cargo-ship-floats-on-8044cab9) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.