In our 2nd installment on using cork for science, we investigate how to use cork to build a stable boat. In this case, we are referring to a small, toy boat - not one someone would actually sit in. Try building your boat in various configurations and decide which build you think makes it the most stable. Do you have other ideas? If so, build them and see if they are as stable as you had expected. Feel free to tag us #jelinekcork
Cork, as we know, is extremely buoyant. This is one of its innate characteristics. This is due to its light-weight, honeycomb cell structure
BOAT STABILITY EXPERIMENT
Material List:
Wine corks - natural or agglomerate as opposed to synthetic (about 20 unless you want to take apart and rebuild your boat each time)
Rubber bands or glue
Toothpicks
Pieces of paper for the sail (cut these into the desired shape)
Bowl or sink full of water
Trial 1: One Cork
A single cork is used as the base of the boat
Push a toothpick into the center of the cork to act as the boat’s mast
Attach the sail to the toothpick by skewering the paper sail
Place in a sink or bowl of water
Observe what happens? Is it stable?
Trial 2: Two Corks
Two corks are used, side-by-side as the bottom of the boat
Either glue the two corks together, side-by-side OR use a rubber band to hold them together
Attach a mast and sail (as above)
Place in a sink or bowl of water
Observe what happens? Is it stable?
Trial 3: Three Corks, Side-by-side configuration
Arrange three corks, side-by-side as the base of the boat
Follow steps 2-5 above
Trial 4: Three Corks, 2 side-by-side, 1 on top configuration
Arrange three corks in a pyramid configuration (2 in the bottom row and one on top)
Follow steps 2-5 above
Continue with as many corks and configurations as you wish. Which configuration do you think is the most stable?
Note: With some configurations, the corks will stay together better with glue than with a rubber band.