Question

Advantages of the reduction in density when water freezes

Answer 1

allow the molecules to be spaced farther apart.

Answer 2

Answer:

The hydrogen bonds that form when water freezes into ice allow the molecules to be spaced farther apart, thus making them take more space, decreasing the overall density and making it float in the water.

Explanation:

Water expands when it freezes making it less dense than the water from which it freezes. In fact, its volume is a little over 9% greater (or density ca. 9% lower) than in the liquid state. For this reason, ice floats on the water (like an ice cube in a glass of water).When water freezes, water molecules form a crystalline structure maintained by hydrogen bonding. ... Ice is less dense than water because the orientation of hydrogen bonds causes molecules to push farther apart, which lowers the density.