Why does ice float on water?

When water freezes into ice, the H2O molecules form Hydrogen bonds between each other and arrange themselves into an open lattice structure. This causes the molecules in ice to be further apart from each other, when compared to water molecules. This means that ice is less dense than water, hence why it floats. 

JC

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is Hund's rule?


An iron-alloy nail (2.41g) is dissolved in 100cm3 acid. 10cm3 portions of this solution are titrated with KMnO4 (0.02M) and 9.80cm3 of KMnO4 was needed to react with iron solution. What % of iron by mass is in the nail?


Explain the trend in atomic radii from Lithium to Fluorine?


Elements in the Periodic Table often show periodic trends. Describe and explain the periodic trend in atomic radius and electronegativity from Na to Cl.