Question

Compare the density of water at 0°C to the density of ice at 0°C, 0.9998 g/cm^3 and 0.917 g/cm^3. Suggest possible explanations in terms of the molecular arrangements inside the liquid and solid forms of water that would account for the difference.

Answer 1

The difference in density between water at 0°C and ice at 0°C is due to the different molecular arrangements of the two forms of water. In liquid water, the molecules are arranged in a more random fashion, allowing them to move around and take up more space. In ice, the molecules are arranged in a more ordered lattice structure, which takes up less space. This difference in molecular arrangement accounts for the difference in density between the two forms of water.