How to Calculate the Fraction of an Iceberg Above Water Surface?

What fraction of an iceberg is above the surface of the water?

The fraction of the iceberg that is above the surface of the water is 8.3 %.

Understanding Specific Gravity

Specific gravity is a fundamental concept in physics that helps us understand the buoyancy of objects in different fluids. It is defined as the ratio of the density of a material to the density of water.

Calculation Formula

The formula for calculating the specific gravity of a material is as follows: Specific Gravity (S.G) = Density of the material / Density of water

Given Data

In this scenario, the specific gravity of ice is 0.917 and the specific gravity of seawater is 1.025.

Fraction of Iceberg Above Water Surface

To calculate the fraction of an iceberg above the surface of the water, we first determine the fraction submerged in the seawater using the specific gravity of the iceberg: 0.917 x 100% = 91.7% Then, we find the fraction of the iceberg above the surface of the water by subtracting the submerged fraction from 1: 1 - 0.917 = 0.083 = 8.3% Therefore, the fraction of the iceberg that is above the surface of the water is 8.3%. This calculation is based on the specific gravity of the iceberg and the principle of buoyancy. In conclusion, the fraction of an iceberg above the water surface can be accurately determined using the specific gravity of the materials involved. Understanding specific gravity is essential for analyzing the behavior of objects in fluids and determining their buoyancy.
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