Submarine Stability
Our experimentation investigated how the location of center of pressure affected the directionality of a small-scale submarine. We also wanted to accurately define a relationship between center of pressure and center of mass. We varied the center of pressure by changing the location of the fins on the submarine and kept the center of mass at the midpoint of the sub. We recorded our trials by observing the deviation from a straight-line path at a pre-selected distance. Our results clearly proved that the trials involving the center of pressure at the rear of the submarine caused the sub to progress in the straightest path, with only a slight straying off course. We concluded not only that the rear end center of pressure results in the least deviation off a straight path, but also that the center of pressure must exist behind the center of mass to maintain the stability.
Research Done By:
Dan Hebel
Lake Shore
Alvin Wurfel
Lake Shore
Warren Consolidated Schools