Question

If both an iceberg and a glacier melt, which would give the greatest increase in the level of the lake water?

a) The iceberg.
b) The glacier.
c) Both contribute equally.
d) Neither affects the lake water level.

Answer 1

The melting glacier would cause a greater increase in the level of lake water compared to an iceberg, because the glacier contributes additional water to the lake whereas the iceberg is already displacing its volume in the water.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the given scenario, if an iceberg floating in a lake and a glacier sitting on land next to the lake both melt, the glacier would cause a greater increase in the level of the lake water. This is because icebergs are already floating in water and displacing their own volume. According to the principle of buoyancy, also known as Archimedes' principle, the water level would not change upon the iceberg melting, as it has already displaced water equivalent to its weight. However, a glacier is on land, and when it melts, it adds water that was not previously in the lake, causing the water level to rise.