🔍 Key Concepts

• small-angle stability assumptions about buoyancy and stability calculations • definition and role of center of buoyancy (B), center of gravity (G), metacenter (M), and center of flotation (F) • which point the line of action of buoyant force passes through when the vessel is heeled by a small angle

💭 Think About

• When a ship heels slightly, what happens to the underwater volume and how does the center of buoyancy move relative to the hull? • In small-angle stability theory, which fixed or reference point is used to determine the righting lever (GZ), and how is that related to the line of action of buoyant force? • Which of the listed points is defined specifically as the intersection of successive buoyant-force verticals for small angles of heel?

✅ Before You Answer

• Review the definition of metacenter (M) in basic ship stability texts and how it is constructed from the movement of the center of buoyancy. • Confirm which point among the options is always associated with weight (downward force) versus buoyancy (upward force). • Make sure you can distinguish between center of flotation (F) on the waterplane and any point that lies on the vertical line of action of the buoyant force in small-angle stability.