Calculate the Volume of an Iceberg

[PaulFehr]

Ice Berg - Density/Voilume related question

Homework Statement

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4675/untitledcr6.gif I made a typo, its supposed to say: "What is the volume of the iceberg?"

Homework Equations

Density=mass*volume

The Attempt at a Solution

I really have no idea how to do this one. We are doing simpler versions of this in class, but out teacher made this a bonus question, and told us to consult with people who might know.

I've been thinking for a long time how to calculate, but can't come up with anything.

I'm guessing, to find out the mass, it would have some relation with the 10meters and the density of the water surrounding the iceberg. Once having the mass, it would be really simple, volume=density/mass.
But I can't figure out how to do this question at all.I would really appreciate it if someone would show me how to do this and explain it, not just give me the answer.

 

[learningphysics]

Is that all the information given? I know that the mass of the water displaced by the iceberg has to equal the mass of the iceberg...

In other words... (the volume of the iceberg below water)*(density of water) = (total volume of iceberg)*(density of iceberg).

But that isn't enough information...

 

[PaulFehr]

That is all the information I was supplied with.Maybe my teacher forgot to give us some data?

 

[learningphysics]

That is all the information I was supplied with.


Maybe my teacher forgot to give us some data?

I think so. But I'm not sure.

 

[PaulFehr]

I think so. But I'm not sure.

Ok, well thanks anyways :)

 

[learningphysics]

Ok, well thanks anyways :)

If instead of the height above water... he gave the volume above water... then the problem can be solved... are you sure that's supposed to be 10m, and not 10m^3 ?

 

[PaulFehr]

If instead of the height above water... he gave the volume above water... then the problem can be solved... are you sure that's supposed to be 10m, and not 10m^3 ?

I'm 99% sure it was the height above the water.


But out of my own curiosity, if it was that 10m was the volume of the portion of the iceberg above the water, how would I go about doing this question?


Using:

(the volume of the iceberg below water)*(density of water) = (total volume of iceberg)*(density of iceberg)

?

But it says the volume of the iceberg below water, how would I go about incorporating the volume above the water?

 

[learningphysics]

I'm 99% sure it was the height above the water.


But out of my own curiosity, if it was that 10m was the volume of the portion of the iceberg above the water, how would I go about doing this question?


Using:

?

But it says the volume of the iceberg below water, how would I go about incorporating the volume above the water?

Just substitute (total volume - volume above water) for the volume below water... the you can solve for total volume.

 

[PaulFehr]

Thank you :)

So it would be:

(the total volume)*(density of water) = (total below water)*(density of iceberg)?

 

[learningphysics]

Thank you :)

So it would be:

(the total volume)*(density of water) = (total below water)*(density of iceberg)?

No, the other way around:

(the total volume)*(density of iceberg) = (total below water)*(density of water)

 

[PaulFehr]

No, the other way around:

(the total volume)*(density of iceberg) = (total below water)*(density of water)

So, seeing as I don't have the total volume nor the volume below water, it would be:
(the total volume)*(density of iceberg) = (total ABOVE water)*(density of water)
?

 

[drpizza]

Here's a simple question to help you understand why the 10 meters above water isn't sufficient to answer your question: Suppose there were two identical iceburgs that were floating near each other; each stuck out of the water 10 meters. If they floated toward each other, until they just barely touched each other and joined together, would they suddenly surge upward out of the water, now that the total volume has been doubled?

 

[learningphysics]

So, seeing as I don't have the total volume nor the volume below water, it would be:
(the total volume)*(density of iceberg) = (total ABOVE water)*(density of water)
?

No... from this equation:

(the total volume)*(density of iceberg) = (total below water)*(density of water)

I replace "total below water" by "total volume - total above water"

So the equation becomes:

(the total volume)*(density of iceberg) = (total volume - total above water)*(density of water)

 

[learningphysics]

Here's a simple question to help you understand why the 10 meters above water isn't sufficient to answer your question: Suppose there were two identical iceburgs that were floating near each other; each stuck out of the water 10 meters. If they floated toward each other, until they just barely touched each other and joined together, would they suddenly surge upward out of the water, now that the total volume has been doubled?

Very nice.