Question

Why is the density of ice lower than that of water?

• A. volume of ice is more than water.
• B. volume of water is more than ice.
• C. weight of ice.
• D. none of the above.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

volume of ice is more than water.

The maximum density of water occurs at $4^{\circ }C$. Water has the property of becoming less dense when it is cooled to its solid form ice. As water is cooled there is an increase in overall volume of the liquid as the molecules begin to orient into the organized structure of ice. Water expands to occupy 9% greater volume as ice which accounts for the fact that ice floats on liquid water.