Question

If the experiment has been done correctly, you will have discovered that the density of water has a maximum value at a temperature of 4 °C. The density of water is often quoted as being 1.000 g cm-3 (or 1000 kg m-3) at this temperature. The density of ice at 0 °C is approximately 0.917 g cm-3 (or 917 kg m-3). An iceberg will therefore float because it is less dense than the fluid it is immersed in. Consider an iceberg of volume 1km3 (= 109 m3) at 0 °C.

1. According to Archimedes’ Principle, what volume of the iceberg will float below the water level if the water is at 4 °C? (Hints: (i) The buoyancy force depends on the volume that is submerged; (ii) what is the apparent weight when it floats?)

2. If the iceberg in question 3 melts, what volume will the meltwater from it occupy at a temperature of 4 °C? Compare this with your answer to Question 3.

3. The global average water temperature is approximately 16 °C. Using the density of water calculator, determine what volume the meltwater from the iceberg in the previous example will occupy at this temperature.

Answer 1