Water level before and after metling of ice cube

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of water levels in a glass when an ice cube melts. The original poster presents a scenario where an ice cube is placed in water, questioning the assertion that the water level remains unchanged after the ice melts. The subject area includes concepts of buoyancy and the properties of water in different states.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the volume of ice and water, questioning the validity of the original poster's claim that the water level remains the same. Some participants express confusion about the implications of ice melting and its effect on water displacement.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants raising questions about the assumptions made regarding the volume of ice versus liquid water. Some guidance has been offered regarding the principles of buoyancy, but no consensus has been reached on the explanation of the water level change.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of the physical properties of water and ice, including density and volume changes during the melting process. There is an indication that some participants may be misunderstanding the terminology related to volume and area.

wei1006
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Homework Statement


A big ice cube is placed in a small glass of water. The level of water in the glass is marked. When the ice cube melts completely,the overall water level will remain the same. Explain.

Homework Equations


Upthrust= weight of fluid displaced

The Attempt at a Solution


Since the ice floats,weight of fluid displaced is equal to the weight of ice itself. Since upthrust equals to weight of fluid displaced, it is equals to density of ice times volume of ice times gravitational force times area. Since the volume of ice is unchanged before and after melting, the water level remains the same.
 
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wei1006 said:
Since the volume of ice is unchanged before and after melting, the water level remains the same.
This is not true. Water takes more volume in the ice form than in the liquid form.
 
FactChecker said:
This is not true. Water takes more volume in the ice form than in the liquid form.
May I know why is the water level the same then?
 
wei1006 said:
May I know why is the water level the same then?
I can't answer a homework problem for you. Review the basic facts about ice floating in water and you will find the answer.

Maybe you are using the term "volume" wrong. In your solution, you refer to both volume and area.
 
wei1006 said:
May I know why is the water level the same then?
You made a good start:
wei1006 said:
Since the ice floats,weight of fluid displaced is equal to the weight of ice itself.
What about when it has melted?
 

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