Question

Why does ice float on water ? Explain.

Answer 1

Answer:

As it cools further and freezes into ice, it actually becomes less dense. ... Ice floats because it is about 9% less dense than liquid water. In other words, ice takes up about 9% more space than water, so a liter of ice weighs less than liter water. The heavier water displaces the lighter ice, so ice floats to the top.

Answer 2

Explanation:

• Liquid water and ice consists of aggregates of varying number of water molecules held together by hydrogen bonds.

• Due to the hydrogen bonding, ice has an open cage-like structure having a number of vacant spaces.

• When ice melts, some of the hydrogen bonds are broken and the water molecules go in between the vacant spaces in the structure. As a result, the structure of liquid water is less open than structure of ice.

• Therefore, the density of ice is less than that of water and consequently ice floats on water.