Question

An ice cube can exist for many minutes while floating in water, even when the temperature of the water is greater than 0. Explain why.

Answer 1

Answer :

Ice floats on water because Density of ice is less than Density of water.

When water freezes into ice, its molecules forms stable hydrogen bonds locking them into positions. Because the molecules are not moving, they're not able to form as many hydrogen bonds with other water molecules. This leads to ice water molecules not being as close together as in the case of liquid water, thus reducing its density. Generally for most of the substances the density of solid form are more than their liquid forms But, The opposite is true in water. This property of water is somewhat unusual and rare.

Water is actually most dense at 4ºC. At any temperature below or above 4ºC, water becomes less dense.