Why does ice float on water? Use the structure of different states of matter to support your answer.

In a liquid, the particles are very close together, but can move around each other. In a solid, the particles are packed together. Depending on the substance, the solid particles can either be very well-ordered (crystalline) or have little or no long-range order (amorphous). When water solidifies, the water molecules arrange themselves in a hexagonal shape. The reason for this is because of hydrogen bonding between the O and the H atoms between the different water molecules. Therefore, the water molecules are more distant from one another in solid form than they are in liquid form. This leads to ice having a lower density than does water, and hence ice floats on water.

Answered by Akash B. Chemistry tutor

8036 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What does ‘aromatic’ mean?


A 25 cm3 sample of an unknown concentration of sulfuric acid was titrated against 0.1 mol dm-3 sodium hydroxide. The average titre was 20 cm3. Calculate the concentration of the sulfuric acid.


Why is Phenol more reactive than Benzene in electrophilic substitution reactions?


State and explain whether NaCl and Mg can conduct electricity in both the solid and molten states.


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences