How Submarines Work: Explained in Simple Words

Summary

Submarines are specialized vessels designed for underwater operation, crucial for military use. They function through complex systems including two hulls, buoyancy control via ballast tanks, and diving planes. Powered by either diesel-electric or nuclear reactors, submarines can dive deep and remain submerged for extended periods. Equipped with sonar and life support systems, they navigate and ensure survival underwater. Despite their silent operations, submarines are formidable marvels of technology, capable of stealth and precision in the hostile depths of the oceans.

Takeaways

• 😀 Submarines are specialized vessels designed to submerge and travel underwater by controlling their buoyancy.
• 😀 A submarine's hull consists of an outer hull and an inner pressure hull, typically made from high-strength steel or alloys to withstand deep-sea pressure.
• 😀 Buoyancy plays a crucial role in how submarines dive and surface. Submarines use ballast tanks and hydroplanes to control their depth and movement.
• 😀 Ballast tanks are filled with water to create negative buoyancy and enable the submarine to dive. To surface, the water is expelled and replaced with air to create positive buoyancy.
• 😀 Diesel-electric submarines charge their batteries when near the surface using ambient air, enabling them to dive and operate underwater.
• 😀 Nuclear submarines, equipped with nuclear reactors, can remain submerged indefinitely, limited only by maintenance and crew needs.
• 😀 Submarines are equipped with a periscope or 'sail' to allow the crew to assess their surroundings while submerged.
• 😀 Sonar systems are used by submarines to detect objects and navigate by bouncing sound waves off surfaces, aiding in underwater exploration.
• 😀 Submarines have life support systems that generate breathable oxygen through chemical oxygen generators, as well as scrubbers to remove excess carbon dioxide.
• 😀 Submarines can desalinate seawater to create drinking water, ensuring that the crew has access to fresh water during extended missions.

Q & A

What is the primary function of a submarine?

The primary function of a submarine is to submerge and travel long distances underwater by controlling its buoyancy, making it a crucial asset for national militaries worldwide.

Why are submarines built differently from ordinary objects?

Submarines are built to withstand the immense water pressure at great depths, as most human bodies and everyday objects are not designed to handle such pressure. This is achieved through a specialized outer hull and an inner pressure hull made of high-strength steel or alloys.

How do submarines manage to dive and resurface?

Submarines use ballast tanks to control their buoyancy. When these tanks are filled with water, the submarine experiences negative buoyancy and dives. When the water is expelled and replaced with air, the submarine gains positive buoyancy and surfaces.

What is the role of the diving planes on a submarine?

The diving planes, or hydroplanes, on a submarine function similarly to fins on a dolphin. They help control the submarine's pitch by adjusting their angle to create an upward force, allowing the submarine to rise or descend to a specific depth.

Can any streamlined object with hydroplanes dive and resurface like a submarine?

No, only submarines can dive and resurface as they do because they have specialized ballast tanks and a design tailored for underwater operation, unlike any streamlined object with similar hydroplanes.

What are the two primary types of submarine propulsion systems?

Most submarines are diesel-electric, using diesel engines to charge large batteries for propulsion. Nuclear submarines, on the other hand, are powered by nuclear reactors, allowing them to remain submerged for extended periods without needing to surface for air.

What is the main advantage of nuclear submarines over diesel-electric submarines?

Nuclear submarines can stay submerged indefinitely as they are powered by nuclear reactors, while diesel-electric submarines need to surface periodically to charge their batteries, making them more vulnerable to detection.

What is the function of the 'sail' on modern submarines?

The sail is a smaller, streamlined structure found on modern nuclear submarines. It houses vital equipment such as communication systems, sonar, and navigational tools. In older designs, this was called the 'conning tower'.

How do submarines navigate underwater with limited visibility?

Submarines use sonar systems, which emit sound waves that bounce off objects and help determine their location and distance. This system acts as the submarine's 'eyes and ears' since visibility underwater is limited.

How do submarines generate breathable oxygen and drinkable water?

Submarines generate breathable oxygen using chemical oxygen generators, which react with water to release oxygen. They also desalinate seawater to produce drinkable water, ensuring the crew's survival during extended underwater missions.