Why does ice float in liquid water?
A) The high surface tension of liquid water keeps the ice on top.
B) The ionic bonds between the molecules in ice prevent the ice from sinking.
C) Stable hydrogen bonds keep water molecules of ice farther apart than water molecules of liquid water.
D) The crystalline lattice of ice causes it to be denser than liquid water.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When water freezes and turns into ice, the stable hydrogen bonds cause the water molecules to arrange themselves into a crystalline lattice structure. This structure has an open hexagonal shape with a lot of empty space between the molecules. Because of this, ice is less dense than liquid water, and it floats on top of it.

Why Does Ice Float in Liquid Water