JD-EE
Does anybody have any idea how a shredded AF447 might have sunk?
There is no short answer to this problem. It depends on a number of factors, e.g.
(a).. density of the liquid (1025 kg/m3), or SG 1.025
(b).. density of the object(s) - aluminium, composites, cushions etc..
(c).. permeability, i.e. the rate at which the liquid can displace air in an object
(d).. shape of the object
(e).. surface friction / viscous drag of the object
(f).. inherent buoyancy retained by, e.g. tanks
(g).. crush pressure of items, e.g. cushions, tanks etc..
Incorporate these multitude of items into a homogeneous mass associated with a broken hull, and essentially its a bit of a guess.
In other words many factors will come into play, and not least is the pressure of 397 Atmospheres at a depth of 4,000 meters. Though the important thing to remember is that as the pressure increases, the factor associated with surface friction or viscous drag increases in proportion. That means there is no runaway charge to the bottom.
mm43