As I have been working through this experiment, I find myself in the typical position of a scientist. I have ended up with more questions than I originally thought. As of right now, I do not believe that the melting of the polar ice caps will cause worldwide flooding. The destruction of habitats and the disruption of many species seems like a given, but I do not think there will be flooding. Water is a unique substance. When it freezes, its volume increases thus decreasing the density thereby enabling the solid form to float on the liquid form. If the polar ice caps are floating within the ocean, melting should actually decrease the water level due to changing volume, not mass. However, I do have questions.
- Not all ice is located in the water. Would the melting of the ice that covers the land be enough to increase water levels?
- Does the ice covering the land push the land down and have any effect on ocean levels?
- Am I completely and utterly wrong about what I am basing my hypothesis on?
I am curious to see if my hypothesis is valid.
I originally thought the same thing, that there would not be world wide flooding. However, the more research I do and the more I have talked to others about it I changed my mind. I feel this inquiry left me with more questions than answers, and some misconceptions.
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