Note 1.0

Floating Ice in Freshwater

· According to Archimede’s Principle, the floating cube displaces its own weight.

· When the ice cube melts, it becomes water.

· This water has the same weight and therefore the same volume as the water displaced by the floating ice cube.

· Therefore, the level of the water should neither rise nor fall because the melted ice replaces the originally displaced water.

Floating Ice in Saltwater

· As the ice floats, it sits above the water level.

· When the ice cube melts, it becomes water.

· This water replaces the originally displaced water and the ice found above the water.

· Therefore, the level of the water may rise.

Salt water vs. Fresh water

· Both salt water and fresh water contain salt but at different concentration levels.

· The salt water of the oceans average 3.5% salt concentration and the fresh waters average less than 1%.

· The salt concentration of the water can be referred to as the salinity.