The results of the science experiment from the previous post.

First run, a small plastic cup is filled with as much ice cubes as possible then filled with water to the brim where the water’s adhesive properties curves above the surface of the cup with a few ice cubes halfway floating above that. After about an hour, the ice melts. None of the water seemed to have spilled, nor has the level seem to gone down. The water level appeared to be unchanged. Lab error: Some of the water might have escape though plastic cup through condensation and/or the volume created does not break the adhesive property of water?

Second run, a Styrofoam cup is set up the same as above. It took twice as long for the ice cubes to melt, and the results was the same – no change in level.

Conclusion? I need to read up on mass, volume and density to figure why is this? And apparently melting sea ice won't significantly rise or lower sea level.

Sudhir and I are running a science experiment at the office today.

They say the ice may disappear entirely from the North Pole this year. From my understanding, ice melting at the North Pole should not have any significant change in the sea level. Since water expands when it freezes, the sea ice will displace more water than it will produce when it melts.

Well now I’m going to prove my theory with a cup of ice water. I filled a small cup with ice and poured water to the brim. When the ice melts, do you think the level will go up or down? I say that the ice will displace the water and bring the level down. Sudhir says the ice will add volume and bring the level up. Let's see who's going to be right.