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Question

Why ice is lighter than water?


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Solution

Water

  • Water molecules have a polar structure as well as a bent shape.
  • This is because oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, which means it attracts electrons better.
  • Water is an excellent solvent.
  • Structure of water molecule:

Ice is lighter than water

  • One oxygen atom is joined with two hydrogen atoms to form a water molecule.
  • The intermolecular interaction of the water molecules holds the water molecules together in a liquid form at room temperature.
  • The water molecules in a liquid state are continually whizzing around in the container and being rearranged.
  • The H-O attraction, not the O-O attraction, holds the water together as it freezes over into ice.
  • Ice's lattice structure prevents water molecules from moving around.
  • However, because the H-O bond is not as tight as the O-O bond, it expands somewhat after the H-O bond takes over.
  • As a result, water has a higher density than ice.

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