Question

If the magnitude of dimension of a rectangular wooden block is length>breadth>height, then for it to float on the water, it should be immersed in what manner?

(a) It should be immersed vertically such that length is partially immersed

(b) It should be immersed horizontally such that breadth is partially immersed

(c) It should be immersed such that height is partially immersed

(d) None of the mentioned

The question was asked in examination.

I need to ask this question from Conditions of Equilibrium of a Floating and Submerged Bodies topic in division Buoyancy and Floatation of Fluid Mechanics

Answer 1

Right choice is (b) It should be immersed horizontally such that breadth is partially immersed

To explain I would say: When it is immersed in such a manner where height is partially immersed, its stability is most as moment of inertia is most about that axis.