An ice cube floating in water, what is the volume of the part under water?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around calculating the volume of an ice cube submerged in water, given its total volume of 7.5 cm³ and the density of ice at 0 degrees Celsius, which is incorrectly stated as 9.17 g/cm³ instead of the correct 0.917 g/cm³. The buoyancy force is calculated using the formula F = density x volume x gravity, yielding a buoyant force of 73.65 Newtons. Participants emphasize that the volume of water displaced, not the total volume of the ice cube, is crucial for determining the submerged volume.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of buoyancy principles and Archimedes' principle
  • Familiarity with the formula for buoyant force: F = ρgV
  • Knowledge of density and its role in fluid mechanics
  • Basic algebra skills for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to apply Archimedes' principle in practical scenarios
  • Study the relationship between density and buoyancy in different fluids
  • Explore the concept of displaced volume and its calculations
  • Investigate common misconceptions in buoyancy problems
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching fluid mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding buoyancy and its applications in real-world scenarios.

exutable
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
The Problem

Hi, I just got this question in a physics class that I am taking, I have been looking at it for about 30 minutes and can't seem to crack it, probably doesn't help that I'm learning it in another language but anyways. A Ice cube of temperature 0 degress Celsius is floating on water. The ice cube's volume is 7.5 cm^3

Find the buoyancy of the ice cube. Density of ice at 0 degrees is 9.17 g/cm^3

Calculate the volume of the part of the ice cube that is under water.
Relevant Equations
Obviously I used the buoyancy formula to find the buoyancy of the ice cube, F = density x volume x gravity which I got to equal 73.65 Newtons

And then I would assume that I have to use V of the object = Force of buoyancy / density of water * gravity
Attempt
Using the second formula that I mentioned, I plug in the numbers and get the same volume that I was given, the volume of the ice cube. Which unfortunately actually makes sense because I am using the full force of buoyancy, and the density of water, and gravity. Nothing in there is specific to the part of the ice cube that is under water. With the given information i don't see how it is possible to actually calculate the amount of the ice cube that is under water.

Any help is appreciated,

Dane
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What is mass of the ice?

Note that ice density is not 9.17 g/mL, more like 0.917 g/mL.
 
Welcome to PF!

Hi Dane! Welcome to PF! :smile:
exutable said:
Density of ice at 0 degrees is 9.17 g/cm^3

erm … noooo :redface:
Obviously I used the buoyancy formula to find the buoyancy of the ice cube, F = density x volume x gravity which I got to equal 73.65 Newtons

And then I would assume that I have to use V of the object = Force of buoyancy / density of water * gravity

Look up your notes on buoyant force again …

The difference of the densities is what matters

(and V is the volume of water displaced, not the volume of the ice)
 
Sorry if the density is wrong but that is what the problem said...

Are you saying that my buoyant force is wrong or that I should look up the buoyant notes again because the answer lies in there?

Sorry there is no mass given.
 


tiny-tim said:
(and V is the volume of water displaced, not the volume of the ice)
That's a key point. In the buoyancy formula F=\rho g V you shouldn't use the volume of the whole ice cube.
 
exutable said:
Sorry there is no mass given.

You are given volume and density though...
 
Aha,

So with the amount of water that is displaced that should give me an idea of the volume of the ice cube that is "displacing", meaning the part that is under water. I just don't have the amount of water that is being displaced though?

So I can't even calculate buoyancy though because I don't have the volume of the part under water?and wow I can't believe I didn't see that, derrrr... m = d*v, my bad
 
Now that you know the mass volume under water should be obvious - buoyancy makes the ice float, doesn't it?
 
Hi exutable! :smile:
exutable said:
So I can't even calculate buoyancy though because I don't have the volume of the part under water?

So … standard procedure … give it a name!

Call the volume under water V, write out the equations, and solve for V. :smile:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
688
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
3K