Why is water less dense in its solid state?

This is because in liquid state water molecules are close to each other, but in an disorganised manner. Each water molecule forms around 3.4 hydrogen bonds with other water molecules. 

However, in solid state, water molecules form exactly 4 hydrogen bonds (maximum hydrogen bonding capacity) with other water molecules. By doing so, they arrange into a lattice structure and get distanced from each other, in order to be able to form the 4 hydrogen bonds with each other. Thus, there are less water molecules in the same volume, as compared to the liquid state. Therefore, there is less mass in the same volume, i.e ice is less dense.

Answered by Cezar B. Chemistry tutor

6942 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Why do we use cracking?


15g of Magnesium is burned, what mass of magnesium oxide is formed ?


Explain why chlorine is more reactive than iodine.


When nitrogen and hydrogen react in the Haber process the reaction can reach a dynamic equilibrium. Explain what is meant by the term dynamic equilibrium.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences