How does a submarine sink and rise ? Animation

Summary

This video explains how submarines control their buoyancy and depth using two types of tanks: the main ballast tank and the trim tanks. The main ballast tank allows the submarine to sink or rise by filling with water or air. Compressed air helps the submarine rise by pushing out the water. Trim tanks at the front and rear help balance the submarine, ensuring stability. Submarines also use diving planes to adjust their depth when submerged. This process allows submarines to navigate efficiently beneath the surface.

Takeaways

• 😀 Submarines use two types of tanks to control their movement: main ballast tanks and trim tanks.
• 😀 The main ballast tank controls the submarine's vertical movement, allowing it to rise and sink.
• 😀 When the main ballast tank is filled with air, the submarine is lighter than the surrounding water and floats.
• 😀 When the main ballast tank is filled with water, the submarine becomes heavier and sinks.
• 😀 The ballast tank has holes at the bottom and a valve at the top to control the intake and release of air and water.
• 😀 Opening the valve allows water to enter the ballast tank, causing the submarine to sink.
• 😀 To make the submarine rise, compressed air is pumped into the ballast tank to push the water out.
• 😀 Compressed air is a limited resource, so the last bits of water are removed using normal air or the fumes from the diesel engine.
• 😀 Trim tanks, located at the front and back of the submarine, help balance the vessel.
• 😀 When the submarine is out of balance, water can be moved between the front and back trim tanks to correct the issue.

Q & A

What are the two main types of tanks in a submarine?

The two main types of tanks in a submarine are the main ballast tank and the trim tanks.

What is the function of the main ballast tank in a submarine?

The main ballast tank is used to move the submarine up and down by controlling its buoyancy.

How does the submarine float on the surface of the water?

When the main ballast tank is filled with air, the submarine becomes lighter than the surrounding water, causing it to float on the surface.

What causes the submarine to sink?

The submarine sinks when the main ballast tank is filled with water, making it heavier than the surrounding water.

What is the role of the valve in the main ballast tank?

The valve in the main ballast tank controls the release of air and allows water to enter, which affects the buoyancy of the submarine.

How does the submarine rise back to the surface?

To make the submarine rise, compressed air is pumped into the main ballast tank, pushing the water out and making the submarine lighter.

Why is compressed air a limited resource in submarines?

Compressed air is a limited resource because it is used to replace the water in the ballast tank, so it must be used efficiently.

What are trim tanks used for in a submarine?

Trim tanks are used to balance the submarine, ensuring that it maintains an even keel and does not tip forward or backward.

How do trim tanks help balance a submarine?

If the front of the submarine is heavier than the back, water can be pumped from the front trim tank to the back trim tank to balance the submarine.

What are diving planes used for on a submarine?

Diving planes are used to control the depth of the submarine while submerged, allowing it to move up and down.