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 meant by the 'First Ionisation Energy' of an element?


Order the relative base strength of phenyl amine, methyl amine and methylphenyl amine and outline your reasoning.


Why does silicon dioxide have a higher melting point than sulphur?


What is meant by 1st ionisation energy?