You have a cube of ice floating in a glass of water. The question is what fraction of the ice will be above the water line? Assume that the ice is not bobbing.
Most of you have probably heard the answer to this before. But please provide a proof or solution, along with your assumptions.
It is difficult to tell what fraction of ice could float in the water.
There are numerous factors could affect the fraction of ice to be floated in the water:
First, the weight of the ice. The bigger the ice, the heavy that the ice is. The bigger the ice, the less fraction of ice that floats above the water line. Just imaging an ice weights 100 tons as compared to a pound of ice, which ice would have a bigger fraction of ice to be above the water line. Of course! The lighter ice.
Secondly, the density of the water. Compare from the same ice that places in the water with high density and the water with low density. The water with high density will have high fraction of ice above the water line.
Thirdly, for instance, if the cube ice is hollow inside, that gives the higher fraction of ice above the water line when it is compared to the ice that is not hollow.
Fourthly, the damage at the edge of ice could also affect the fraction of ice that is above the water line.
Fifthly, once you place the ice in the water. The ice that you place in the water will definitely melt. As the ice melt, the ice would turn up to be out of shape. It affects the fraction of ice that is above the water line.
From the above examples, it is difficult to conclude what fraction of ice is above the water line especially the ice would not stay long since it would melt and turn up to be out of shape.
Edited on April 21, 2005, 1:44 pm
Uncertainty
