Final answer:
When liquid water freezes, its volume increases as the water molecules form an ordered structure, causing the water to expand. This expansion is due to the hydrogen bonds between water molecules, which remain intact in the solid state. Therefore, when water freezes, it takes up more space compared to its liquid form.
Step-by-step explanation:
When liquid water freezes, its volume increases. As water cools, its molecules slow down and form a rigid, lattice-like structure (ice). The formation of this structure causes the water molecules to move farther apart, resulting in an increase in volume. This expansion is due to the hydrogen bonds between water molecules, which remain intact and become more ordered in the solid state. This increase in volume is why ice is less dense than liquid water and floats on the surface.
For example, when you freeze water in an ice cube tray, the frozen cubes are larger in volume compared to the initial liquid water that was poured into the tray.