Question

How is ice's density less than the density of liquid water?

a) Ice is less dense because its molecules are further apart.
b) Ice is more dense due to its unique crystal structure.
c) Ice is less dense due to the presence of air bubbles.
d) Ice is denser because it contains fewer hydrogen bonds.

Answer 1

Ice's density is less than that of liquid water due to its unique crystal structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ice's density is less than the density of liquid water because of its unique crystal structure. The hydrogen bonds in ice cause the water molecules to arrange themselves in a lattice structure, which makes the ice less dense than the freely flowing molecules in liquid water. This lower density allows ice to float on water.

The presence of air bubbles does not contribute to the lower density of ice. Ice's lower density is due to the arrangement of its molecules, not the presence of air bubbles.

Therefore, the correct answer is option b) Ice is more dense due to its unique crystal structure.