- View more resources from this publisher
Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme
Tooltip
These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.
The Moon, an Optical Illusion and an Iceberg: Did These Sink the Titanic?
This Catalyst article uses physics to investigate the possible causes of the sinking of the Titanic. Mike Follows explains how the hull of the Titanic was constructed to be watertight, however, the strength of the rivets used on the ship were inadequate.
The article shows how the alignment of the sun, Earth and moon on that day would have caused a particularly high tide, therefore refloating many grounded icebergs. A third phenomenon, a mirage created by the warm air from the Gulf Stream, may have meant that the crew of the SS Carlifornian could not see the stricken Titanic on that night.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2012, Volume 23, Issue 2.
Catalyst is a science magazine for students aged 14-19 years. Annual subscriptions to print copies of the magazine can be purchased from Mindsets.
Show health and safety information
Please be aware that resources have been published on the website in the form that they were originally supplied. This means that procedures reflect general practice and standards applicable at the time resources were produced and cannot be assumed to be acceptable today. Website users are fully responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is in accordance with current regulations related to health and safety and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out.
Downloads
Show downloads
Information on the permitted use of this resource is covered by the Category Three Content section in STEM Learning’s Terms and conditions.
