What is a pontoon and how does it work?
A pontoon is a floating structure that relies on buoyant materials, such as sealed plastic bottles or barrels, to remain afloat. It works by displacing water equal to its weight, following Archimedes’ Principle, which states that an object submerged in a fluid experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the displaced fluid. This allows pontoons to support weight while remaining stable on water.
Study Duration
10 Min
1.1 What is a Pontoon and How Does It Work?
A pontoon is a floating platform that stays afloat using buoyant materials like 1.5L PET plastic bottles, barrels, or foam blocks. It functions by displacing water equal to its weight, following Archimedes’ Principle, which states that an object in a fluid experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. This allows pontoons to remain stable while supporting additional weight, such as people or cargo.
1.2 Understanding Buoyancy & Stability
How buoyancy keeps objects afloat
The relationship between weight, water displacement, and stability
Why evenly distributed weight prevents tipping
