Chemistry: Atoms First (2nd Edition)

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1305079248
ISBN 13: 978-1-30507-924-3

Chapter 19 - Review Questions - Page 789: 7

Answer

See explanation

Work Step by Step

Water is an exception to the general rule that the solid phase is denser than the liquid phase. This is due to the unique hydrogen bonding in water molecules. When water freezes and forms ice, the hydrogen bonds create an open hexagonal lattice structure, causing ice to have a lower density than liquid water. This property is the reason why ice floats on water.
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