Ballast

High school (ages 12+)
Transportation

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/ballast

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the engineering principle?Ballast increases mass to lower the center of gravity and enhance stability
2. What is the environmental concern?Ballast water discharge can introduce invasive aquatic species, leading to international regulations
3. What is ballast and why do big machines need it?Ballast is heavy material used to keep ships, balloons, and submarines steady. It lowers the center of gravity and makes them resist wind, waves, or uneven loads.
4. How do ships use ballast to stay safe?Ships fill special tanks with water or put heavy rocks, sand, or iron low in the hull. This keeps the ship stable and prevents capsizing.

Center of Gravity (CG): The point where the entire weight of an object is concentrated, crucial for stability calculations.
Buoyancy: The upward force exerted by a fluid, opposing the weight of an immersed object, fundamental to submersible operation.
Trim: The difference in draft between the forward and aft ends of a vessel, managed by ballast distribution.