Question

Liquids generally have lower density as compared to solids. But you must have observed that ice floats on water. Find out why.

Answer 1

1. Density is defined as mass per unit volume of a substance. $\mathrm{Density}=\frac{\mathrm{mass}}{\mathrm{volume}}$
2. As solids have more density than liquids, on solidification of water, it expands as the spacing between the particles increases.
3. These spaces are mostly filled by air and the air gets trapped in the structure of ice and due to this, the volume increases.
4. As ice is solid it has more volume than water due to which it has a lower density.
5. Hence ice floats on water.