In stability terms, what does the acronym "GM" stand for?

The acronym "GM" stands for Metacentric Height, a critical concept in naval architecture and stability analysis. Metacentric Height is the distance between the center of gravity (G) of a vessel and the metacenter (M), a point where the buoyant force acts when the vessel is tilted. This measurement is essential because it helps determine a vessel's stability; if GM is large, the vessel has greater stability, and it will return to an upright position after being tilted.

Understanding GM is vital for ensuring that a vessel remains upright in various conditions, particularly when it is subject to external forces such as wind or waves. A higher GM value generally indicates a stiffer ship, while a lower GM value may lead to a more tender vessel, which can be more prone to rolling.

Other options do not accurately represent this stability concept: General Mass might refer to a theoretical notion but is not a standard term in naval stability; Ground Measurement does not relate to ship stability; and Gravitational Median does not have relevance in the context of stability calculations.