Final answer:
Based on the principle of buoyancy and Archimedes' principle, a boat will float if the weight it carries is less than the maximum buoyant force it can exert. If the boat can carry a load nine times its own weight, including a refrigerator and television should not make it sink, as long as the combined weight is within the boat's load capacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle of buoyancy, which is rooted in physics, determines whether an object will float or sink. According to Archimedes' principle, a boat will float as long as the weight of the water it displaces is greater than the weight of the boat itself. Hence, when you build your boat, if the combined weight of the steel used for the boat, the refrigerator, the television, and any additional load does not exceed the maximum buoyant force that the boat can exert, your boat will not sink.
Your friend's concerns are valid to an extent, as overloading a boat could indeed cause it to sink. However, modern boats are designed to carry significant weight including amenities like refrigerators and televisions. Therefore, it is essential to know the specifications of your boat, especially the weight it can safely carry. If the boat's design allows for a load nine times its own weight, adding a refrigerator and a television should not be an issue so long as the combined weight does not exceed this capacity.
On a fundamental level, whether something as heavy as a fridge and TV can be included depends on the boat's load capacity and overall design. It's not the presence of these items that is inherently a problem, but the total weight relative to the boat's buoyant force and load capacity.