1. The Structure of Ice and Water41
The Structure of Ice and Water
Conceptual Physics
Text Correlation: Section 21.9

3. Question 1
We know that most of an iceberg lies beneath the surface of water. And we know that ice is less dense because of the myriad of open spaces between its molecules. Is there a connection between the combined volume of these open spaces and the volume of iceberg above water?
Try this with ice cubes in a glass of water. The water level stays the same after melting!
Answer: Interesting you should ask this question, for the answer is yes. The volume of the ice above water is the same as the volume of all the open spaces combined. When the ice melts, it shrinks to fill the open spaces so no change in the level of the surrounding water occurs.

4. Question 2
Does the six sided nature of H20 molecules in crystal form have anything to do with the six sides of snowflakes?
Answer: Another interesting question! Yes indeed. You tell me why!

5. Question 3
Part of a floating ice cube extends above water. So when ice in a glass of water melts, why doesn't the water level in the glass rise?
Answer: When the ice melts, the water level doesn't rise because the ice simply shrinks to fill in the spaces that makes the ice less dense to begin with. Also, whether solid or liquid, the ice displaces the same volume of water -its own weight