How Much of an Iceberg Is Hidden Underwater?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How much of an iceberg is hidden underwater?

The Big Idea

About nine tenths of an iceberg is hidden underwater, and only the tip shows! That is why people say 'tip of the iceberg'. Let's dive in.

Ice Floats

Step one: ice floats. Ice is slightly less dense than seawater, so it floats. But only just. Ice has tiny air bubbles in it that help it float.

Mostly Below

Step two: mostly below. About nine tenths of an iceberg sits below the surface. You only see the tip. That is why we say it is only the tip of the iceberg.

Stay Away

Step three: staying safe. Because so much is hidden, ships keep a safe distance from icebergs. Underwater ice can stick out much farther than you expect. A grown-up can help you look up pictures of icebergs.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The part you see is only the tip. The waterline cuts it into two. Most of the iceberg is down below. That is why ships give icebergs plenty of room. Iceberg height can fool people.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! The phrase 'tip of the iceberg' comes from this fact. It means you only see a small part of something bigger. Seawater is a bit denser than ice, and that holds the ice up. Glacier ice is a little lighter than seawater, so it floats, but low. Do water experiments with a grown-up nearby.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Float an ice cube in a glass of water. Look at it from the side. How much sticks up above the surface? Is it most of the cube or just a little? Write down what you notice.

Outro

Most of an iceberg is hidden below the water. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!