Why does ice float on water? Use the structure of different states of matter to support your answer.

In a liquid, the particles are very close together, but can move around each other. In a solid, the particles are packed together. Depending on the substance, the solid particles can either be very well-ordered (crystalline) or have little or no long-range order (amorphous). When water solidifies, the water molecules arrange themselves in a hexagonal shape. The reason for this is because of hydrogen bonding between the O and the H atoms between the different water molecules. Therefore, the water molecules are more distant from one another in solid form than they are in liquid form. This leads to ice having a lower density than does water, and hence ice floats on water.

AB
Answered by Akash B. Chemistry tutor

8117 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe a two step reaction route that can convert 1-Butene (CH2CHCH2CH3) into a compound that is more soluble in water. Use mechanisms to aid your answer (HINT: one of the steps involves nucleophilic substitution)


Why is a nucleophilic substitution reaction between ammonia and benzene unlikely?


Explain why the first ionisation energy of strontium is less than the first ionisation energy of calcium


What is a redox reaction?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences