Question

Why does ice stay at the top of oceans instead of sinking to the bottom? Ice is denser than liquid water because the molecules in ice are closer together. Ice is less dense than liquid water because the molecules in ice are closer together. Ice is denser than liquid water because the molecules in ice are farther apart. Ice is less dense than liquid water because the molecules in ice are farther apart.

Answer 1

D) Ice is less dense than liquid water because the molecules in ice are farther apart.

Step-by-step explanation:

Most chemicals get denser when they turn from liquid to solid, but water is unique. As water gets colder, the hydrogen bonds override the motion of the molecules, and water begins to crystallize and form water's solid state—ice. Ice is formed at 0°C. Water molecules spread out when frozen, so solid ice is less dense than liquid water. This is why ice floats in water.

Answer 2

The correct answer is D) ice is less dense than liquid water because the molecules in ice are farther apart.

This makes sense because ice has to be less dense than liquid water because we know that ice floats on water. Objects denser than the liquid that they are placed in will sink, whereas if they are lighter than the liquid, they will float. The bonds in ice are more stable than they are in liquid water, which keeps the molecules farther apart. With less molecules per unit area than water, ice is the less dense of the two substances.

Hope this helps!