Liquid water is denser than ice due to
[amp_mcq option1=”higher surface tension” option2=”hydrogen bonding” option3=”van der Waals forces” option4=”covalent bonding” correct=”option2″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
Liquid water is denser than ice. This anomalous property is due to the unique structure formed by hydrogen bonding. In ice, water molecules form a rigid, open lattice structure (like a hexagonally ordered network) held together by hydrogen bonds. This structure is less compact than the arrangement of molecules in liquid water. In liquid water, while hydrogen bonds still exist, they are constantly breaking and reforming, allowing molecules to pack closer together, thus increasing the density compared to ice.
Hydrogen bonding in water is responsible for several of its anomalous properties, including the fact that solid water (ice) is less dense than liquid water.