An iceberg: how much is underwater
Ice, wood and foam in sea water. Only the tip of an iceberg shows above water — about one ninth.
2D
Age 8+10 min
Fluids & floating
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Press “Run”. Bodies move by the laws of physics: gravity, friction, elasticity.
What the experiment shows
A floating body sinks until the water it displaces weighs as much as it does. Ice is only slightly lighter than sea water, so nearly all of it is submerged.
How to run it
- Press “Run” and wait until everything settles.
- Compare how much of the ice, wood and foam sticks out.
- Make the water fresh (density 1.0) — the ice sinks deeper.
Questions to discuss
- Why did the Titanic not see the iceberg in time?
- Will the water level rise when the ice melts?
The science
Fraction underwater = body density / liquid density. Ice 0.92 in sea water 1.03 — 89% under. Wood 0.5 — half, foam 0.05 — almost all above.
Try it at home
Freeze water in a cup, float the ice in a bowl and mark how much sticks out.
What to change in the editor
- Add a stone with density 2.5.
- Turn the iceberg on its side.