Question

The bonds between neighboring water molecules expand when water freezes into solid ice from a liquid.

a. Describe the relationship between the structure of water and its density.

Answer 1

Water expands and becomes less dense as it freezes into ice due to the rigid hydrogen bond network that forms, causing ice to float and protect aquatic life.

Step-by-step explanation:

attributed to the structural arrangement:

Water's lower density in its solid form compared to its liquid form is attributed to the structural arrangement of hydrogen bonds when it freezes. In ice, the water molecules are pushed farther apart due to a rigid, lattice-like network which increases the overall volume, thus making ice less dense than liquid water. This phenomenon is crucial as it allows ice to float on water, providing an insulating layer that protects aquatic life in cold environments.

The hydrogen bonds in liquid water constantly break and reform as the water molecules flow. When water cools, its molecular motion slows down, and the hydrogen bonds become more rigid, forming a well-defined network in solid ice. The bent shape of the water molecules leads to gaps in the hydrogen bonding network of ice, making ice less dense than liquid water.