Ice is lighter than pure water and floats on the surface. Which one of the following statements is correct to explain this phenomenon ?
The structure of ice is similar to that of water
Ice has a disordered 3-dimensional structure
Hydrogen-bonding in ice gives an open type structure with interstitial holes
There is no hydrogen bonding in water
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This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2010
In the solid state (ice), water molecules are held in a crystalline structure by hydrogen bonds. This structure is an open lattice containing hexagonal rings, with significant empty space or “interstitial holes” between the molecules. In the liquid state (water), although hydrogen bonds are still present and constantly breaking and reforming, the structure is less ordered and more compact than ice. As a result, a given mass of ice occupies a larger volume than the same mass of liquid water at the same temperature, leading to ice having a lower density and thus floating on water.