Question

Why does ice float on water despite the fact that liquids have lower density compared to solids?

Answer 1

A substance floats if it is less dense, or has less mass per unit volume, than other components in a mixture. For example, if you toss a handful of rocks into a bucket of water, the rocks, which are dense compared to the water, will sink.

Answer 2

The fact that ice floats in water is a bit strange, because most substances are denser when they're solids. ... As water cools and freezes, it becomes less dense due to the unique nature of hydrogen bonds.