Question

Небольшие по весу ледоколы не могут сломать лед многометровой толщины.Почему же это удается сделать тяжелым ледоколам?

Answer 1

Why can heavy icebreakers break thick ice while lightweight icebreakers cannot?

Icebreakers are specially designed ships that are used to navigate through ice-covered waters. They are equipped with a reinforced hull and a powerful propulsion system that allows them to break through ice. The ability of an icebreaker to break ice depends on several factors, including its weight, shape, and power.

Weight: One of the key factors that allows heavy icebreakers to break thick ice is their weight. Heavy icebreakers are built with a significant amount of steel and have a much higher displacement compared to lightweight icebreakers. This additional weight provides more downward force, allowing the icebreaker to exert greater pressure on the ice and break through thicker ice formations.

Shape: The shape of an icebreaker's hull also plays a crucial role in its ability to break ice. Icebreakers typically have a rounded or sloping shape at the bow, which helps them ride up onto the ice and exert pressure on it. This shape reduces the resistance between the ice and the hull, making it easier for the icebreaker to break through the ice.

Power: Heavy icebreakers are equipped with powerful engines that generate a significant amount of thrust. This power allows them to push through the ice, breaking it apart as they move forward. The engines of heavy icebreakers are designed to provide high torque, enabling them to overcome the resistance of the ice and propel the ship forward.

In contrast, lightweight icebreakers are not designed to break through thick ice. They are typically used in areas with thinner ice cover or for ice management tasks such as clearing shipping lanes. Lightweight icebreakers have a lower weight and less power compared to heavy icebreakers, which limits their ability to break through thick ice.

In summary, heavy icebreakers can break thick ice due to their weight, shape, and power. Their increased weight provides more downward force, their shape reduces resistance, and their powerful engines generate the necessary thrust to break through the ice. Lightweight icebreakers, on the other hand, are not designed for breaking thick ice and are better suited for lighter ice conditions.