[ 3 / biz / cgl / ck / diy / fa / ic / jp / lit / sci / vr / vt ] [ index / top / reports ] [ become a patron ] [ status ]
2023-11: Warosu is now out of extended maintenance.

/sci/ - Science & Math

Search:


View post   

>> No.4073934 [View]
File: 34 KB, 1609x1238, icecryst.gif [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
4073934

>What is it about water that makes it expand when it's cold
The structure of the water molecule makes it form a crystal lattice that consists of water molecules that each has a double bond to adjacent water molecules (4 bonds in total for each molecule). This causes the water molecules to pack neatly into a crystal structure, but leaves "gaps" which could've been filled by other water molecules in less "ordered" conditions.
(see pic)

>am I right in thinking nothing else does this?
No.

>Secondly, as ice floats on water, this implies that ice is lighter than water? Is this just because it's expanded and so has a larger surface area? Or does it actually lose mass?

>lighter
Nope.
It's less dense than water.

Navigation
View posts[+24][+48][+96]