Final answer:
To make the buoy travel further without hitting a land mass, consider the buoyant force, fluid density, and water currents while selecting a launch location. Design modifications for the buoy should focus on reducing resistance and enhancing buoyancy. A comprehensive understanding of fluid dynamics is essential for this goal.
Step-by-step explanation:
To understand how far the buoy can travel without hitting a land mass, we must consider factors affecting a buoy's movement in a fluid. These factors include the buoyant force, the fluid's density, and currents. The buoyant force is the upward force exerted on an object submerged in a fluid; it is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. According to the information, the maximum buoyant force is ten times the weight of the steel, allowing the ship to carry a load nine times its own weight without sinking.
Launching the buoy from a different location to travel further would depend on identifying a location with fewer obstacles and possibly stronger or more favorable currents. Additionally, to ensure it travels farther without intervention, the buoy must be designed with an optimal shape and materials for minimal resistance and optimal buoyancy in the fluid medium.
Changes such as adjusting the launch angle or initial velocity would not be as effective without also considering the properties of the body of water (e.g., salinity, which affects buoyancy) and its natural tendencies, like currents or prevailing winds. Therefore, to achieve greater travel distance, the most effective strategy would be a comprehensive understanding and utilization of the fluid dynamics at play.