Question

Liquids generally have lower density than that of a solid but ice floats in water. Explain the reason.

Answer 1

SOLIDS:

Particles are closely packed in solids and the distances between the particles are small and incompressible when force is applied.

LIQUIDS:

Particles are less closely packed in a liquid state of matter compared to solids. They take the shape of the container in which they are kept.

• Water can exist in three physical states: ice, water, and water vapours.
• Ice has a cage-like structure and also some empty spaces.
• When water freezes to form ice, some empty spaces get created.
• Also, volume increases for water.
• The density of ice is less than water.
• Liquids generally have a lower density than solids but ice floats on water because ice has a cage-like structure and also some empty spaces and The density of ice is less than water.