AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Water expands when it freezes making it less dense than the water from which it freezes. In fact, its volume is a little over 9% greater (or density ca. 9% lower) than in the liquid state. For this reason, ice floats on the water (like an ice cube in a glass of water).

Detailed explanation-2: -What’s so special about ice that causes it to float? Believe it or not, ice is actually about 9% less dense than water. Since the water is heavier, it displaces the lighter ice, causing the ice to float to the top.

Detailed explanation-3: -As a result, ice is less dense than the liquid form. Water is the only known non-metallic substance that expands when it freezes; its density decreases and it expands approximately 9% by volume.

Detailed explanation-4: -The fact that water expands upon freezing causes icebergs to float. The fact that water reaches a maximum density at about 4°C causes bodies of water to freeze on the top first. Then the further expansion as a part of the phase change keeps the ice floating with some 8% of its mass above the surface.

Detailed explanation-5: -The ice float on water because its density is less than water. The density of ice is. 931 gm-cm-3 and the density of water is. 0 gm-cm-3 .