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Air and Water Transport

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Vehicles Used in Air and Water Transport

The modern world has become faster due to the development of transport systems. These systems use different mediums to carry people and goods. Air transport travels in the air whereas water transport has vehicles that carry people and goods on water. Find out the names of these vehicles here.


What is a Mode of Transport?

A transport system built to carry people or goods is called a mode of transport. Over the years, humans have conquered air and water with their inventions. We can now travel by air and even on water. In fact, there are vehicles that can conquer any kind of land terrain. We have even sent men to walk on the Moon and will possibly send men to Mars very soon.


Types of Modes of Transport

According to the inventions and vehicles used to travel or carry things, we can differentiate modes of transport into three categories. Here are the types of transportation list with examples.


  • Air transport: Aeroplanes, helicopters, space shuttles, hot air balloons, etc.

  • Water transport: Ships, boats, canoes, ferries, etc.

  • Land transport: Cars, buses, cycles, motorcycles, etc.


What is Air Transport?

Air transport is a system involving vehicles that can travel in mid-air. These vehicles can fly and take people or goods or both from one location to the other within a short time span.


The list of vehicles used in air transport is given below:


  • Aeroplane: An aircraft vehicle that carries people and luggage from one airport to the other is called an aeroplane.

  • Jet: It is an aeroplane with a jet engine. It can fly faster and carry more people.

  • Fighter jet: Used for military actions, it is a one or two-manned plane used in defence.

  • Glider: It is a gliding aircraft that uses air to glide and cover distances. One has to jump from a height to glide.

  • Hot air balloon: It is a huge balloon filled with hot air to ride and float.

  • Spaceship: It is an aircraft that can take people to space.


Air Transport Vehicles


Air Transport Vehicles


What is Water Transport?

It is a system where vehicles that can run on or under water are called water transport. Here is a list of types of water transportation we use.


  • Boat: It is a watercraft smaller than a ship that carries a handful of people or goods through rivers, lakes, etc. Boats are meant for covering shorter marine distances.

  • Ship: A ship is a big watercraft that can carry thousands of people and cargo at the same time. It is used to cover longer marine distances.

  • Yacht: A yacht is a private luxury boat with sails. It is used for racing and cruising.

  • Submarine: A unique water vehicle that can travel underwater is called a submarine. It is used for defence and military purposes.

  • Seaplane: This is a hybrid air transport that can land on seas and can take off from water.

  • Ferry: A ferry is a local water transport vehicle used to carry people across rivers or to an island.


Water Transport Vehicles


Water Transport Vehicles


Tips for Parents

Name a type of transport and explain it with pictures and examples. Explain the other one and then ask about the differences. In this way, kids will be able to learn the types of transportation modes and will remember them.

FAQs on Air and Water Transport

1. What are air and water transport?

Air and water transport are two main ways to travel and move things. Air transport involves vehicles that fly through the sky, like aeroplanes. Water transport uses vehicles that move on water, such as boats and ships on rivers, lakes, and oceans.

2. What are some common examples of air and water transport vehicles?

There are many different vehicles for air and water travel.

  • For Air Transport: Common examples include aeroplanes, helicopters, and hot air balloons.
  • For Water Transport: Common examples include ships, boats, submarines, ferries, and sailboats.

3. Which is faster, travelling by air or by water?

Travelling by air is much faster than travelling by water. An aeroplane can cover a long distance in just a few hours, while a ship would take several days to travel the same distance. This is why air travel is preferred for urgent or long-distance passenger journeys.

4. Why do we need both air and water transport?

We need both because they are useful for different things. Air transport is best for speed and reaching faraway places quickly. Water transport is slower but is excellent for moving very heavy and bulky items, like cars and machinery, which cannot be carried by planes. It is often a more cost-effective way to transport large goods.

5. How do people use boats to cross rivers?

People use smaller boats and ferries to cross rivers, especially in areas where there are no bridges. A ferry is like a large boat that can carry people, bikes, and even cars from one riverbank to the other, making daily travel possible.

6. Why can't large ships sail in small rivers?

Large ships need deep and wide water to float and move safely. Small rivers are often too shallow, meaning the bottom of the ship could hit the riverbed and get stuck. That is why you will only see large cargo ships and cruisers on the ocean or in very large, deep rivers and ports.

7. What are some goods that are usually transported by aeroplanes and ships?

Different goods are suited for different transport types.

  • By Aeroplanes (Air Cargo): Light, valuable, or urgent items like letters, important documents, medicines, and fresh flowers are often sent by air.
  • By Ships (Sea Cargo): Heavy and bulky goods like cars, oil, grain, coal, and large machinery are transported by ships because they can carry huge weights.