Ask Tappity: Science Questions for Kids > How Do Submarines Work?

How Do Submarines Work?

How do submarines go up and down? Watch this video to find out, or read our explanation below!

 
 
 

submarine

How Submarines Dive and Rise

Submarines sink by taking in ocean water into large tanks. This weighs them down, allowing them to sink. They take in as much as they need to go as low as they want to. When they want to come back up, they pump out the water by pumping pressurized air into the tanks. This forces the water out, turning the tanks into floaties, boosting them back up to the surface.

How Submarines Make Oxygen

The crew of a submarine needs to breathe - how do they get enough oxygen? Well, submarines have special machines that make oxygen from ocean water. They use a process called electrolysis, which means using electricity to break apart H20 molecules to get oxygen.

submarine electrolysis machine
 
Submarine jets

Submarines Move Forward Using Propulsion

Submarines propel themselves forward through the water using propellers or jets that shoot out water. These can be powered by diesel engines, or even nuclear reactors. They use a rudder, just like a ship, to turn.

Submarine Facts for Kids

Got submarine questions? We’ve got submarine answers!

  • Nuclear submarines can stay in operation for 3-4 months underwater at a time.

  • A submarine hasn’t ever hit a whale. This is probably more due to whales successfully avoiding submarines, than the other way around.

  • Submarines discharge any human waste into the ocean, pumping it out using the pressure of the ocean or with pressurized air.

  • The longest a submarine has ever stayed submerged is 111 days.

  • A U.S. nuclear-powered submarine can travel at least 23 mph.

More Answers to Engineering Questions from Kids

How do airplanes fly? Could a car drive underwater? The Tappity Engineering Library has interactive lessons with answers to those questions and more!

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