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Subs

Short answer: A submarine controls its buoyancy with ballast tanks. Flooding the main ballast tanks with seawater makes the boat heavier than the water it displaces, so it submerges; blowing the water out with compressed air makes it lighter, so it surfaces.

Smaller trim tanks and the boat's diving planes fine-tune its depth and balance underwater. Submarines are used by navies for patrol, reconnaissance and deterrence, and research submersibles explore the deep sea. The first submarine to sink an enemy warship was the Confederate H. L. Hunley, in 1864. The footage shows submarines surfacing and underway, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up3 sources

In collections:The Arsenal

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What should you know about Subs?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Submarines dive by flooding ballast tanks.

    DD-149-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Ballast tanks)

  2. Blowing the tanks with air brings them up.

    DD-149-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Compressed air)

Video transcript: Subs: A Submarine Dives by Flooding Its Ballast Tanks

Submarines are fascinating vessels capable of operating beneath the water's surface, providing stealth and strategic advantages. DID YOU KNOW? Submarines use ballast tanks to control their buoyancy. By adjusting the amount of water in these tanks, submarines can either submerge or surface. When the tanks are filled with water, the submarine becomes heavier and sinks. When the tanks are emptied, it becomes lighter and rises to the surface. Submarines have played pivotal roles in naval warfare and scientific exploration. Their ability to travel silently underwater makes them effective for surprise attacks and reconnaissance. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 31.0s Reel ·

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Subs: A Submarine Dives by Flooding Its Ballast Tanks Instagram Reel · · 31.0s

The write-up

A submarine dives by flooding its ballast tanks. Blowing the water out with air brings it back up.

  1. Exhibit A

    Ballast tanks

    Submarines dive by flooding ballast tanks.

  2. Exhibit B

    Compressed air

    Blowing the tanks with air brings them up.

  3. Exhibit C

    Trim and planes

    Trim tanks and diving planes fine-tune depth.

  4. Exhibit D

    Uses

    Navies use submarines for patrol and deterrence.

  5. Exhibit E

    1864

    The H. L. Hunley sank a warship in 1864.

Questions people ask about Subs

How does a submarine dive?

It gets heavier.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Ballast tanks) · Wikipedia: Submarine; Wikipedia: Ballast tank

How does it surface?

It gets lighter.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Compressed air) · Wikipedia: Ballast tank

What fine-tunes depth?

Underwater balance.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Trim and planes) · Wikipedia: Submarine; Wikipedia: Ballast tank

Which submarine first sank an enemy warship?

In 1864.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Uses) · Wikipedia: Submarine

Besides navies, who uses submersibles?

To explore the deep sea.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (1864) · Wikipedia: H. L. Hunley (submarine)

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. How does a submarine dive?

    1. It floods its ballast tanks
    2. It drops an anchor
    3. It shuts its engine
    4. It deflates
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. It floods its ballast tanks It gets heavier. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Ballast tanks) · Wikipedia: Submarine; Wikipedia: Ballast tank

  2. How does it surface?

    1. Blows water out with compressed air
    2. Pumps in oil
    3. Releases its crew
    4. Opens the hatch
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Blows water out with compressed air It gets lighter. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Compressed air) · Wikipedia: Ballast tank

  3. What fine-tunes depth?

    1. Trim tanks and diving planes
    2. The periscope
    3. Radio
    4. Lights
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Trim tanks and diving planes Underwater balance. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Trim and planes) · Wikipedia: Submarine; Wikipedia: Ballast tank

  4. Which submarine first sank an enemy warship?

    1. H. L. Hunley
    2. Nautilus
    3. Turtle
    4. Kursk
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. H. L. Hunley In 1864. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Uses) · Wikipedia: Submarine

  5. Besides navies, who uses submersibles?

    1. Researchers
    2. Bakers
    3. Pilots only
    4. Farmers
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Researchers To explore the deep sea. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (1864) · Wikipedia: H. L. Hunley (submarine)

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Subs." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-149, last updated Dec 29, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/subs/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/subs/ · Last updated

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