Three icebergs are each floating in bathtubs filled to the brim with water. Iceberg A has large air bubbles in it. Iceberg B has unfrozen water in it. Iceberg C has an iron railroad spike in it. When the ice melts, what happens?
A) The water level in C will decrease while the other two water levels will remain the same.
B) The water level in A will stay the same, while the other tubs will spill over.
C) Only the water in C will spill over.
D) All the tubs spill over.
E) All stay exactly the same.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The water level in C decreases because the iron spike displaces more water due to its higher density compared to ice, so when the ice melts, the overall water level drops. Icebergs A and B's water levels remain the same due to the principle of displacement: the volume of water displaced by the iceberg is equal to the volume of water it adds when melted, regardless of air bubbles or unfrozen water inside.

Three Icebergs Are Each Floating in Bathtubs Filled to the Brim