🔍 Key Concepts

• Center of buoyancy (B) moves with the shape of the underwater volume when the ship inclines • Relationship between center of gravity (G), center of buoyancy (B), and metacenter (M) in stability • What it means for forces to be in equilibrium along a vertical line of action

💭 Think About

• When the ship is heeled and still in equilibrium, which points must lie on the same vertical line so that weight and buoyant force act directly against each other? • Which of the listed points actually moves with the underwater shape, and which remains fixed for a given loading condition? • Think about the classic stability diagram: when the vessel is inclined, which point does the line of action of buoyancy pass through as it shifts from the upright position?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear on the definition of center of flotation vs center of buoyancy—they are not the same • Identify which item in the choices represents the point where weight acts downward and which represents where buoyancy acts upward • Visualize the vertical line of action of the upward buoyant force when the vessel is inclined and in stable equilibrium