Why does ice float on water?

D) hydrogen bonds stabilize and keep the molecules of ice father apart than the water molecules of liquid water! Hydrogen bonds enable ice to float Its not E because ice is less dense than water. Its not C, it has nothing to do with bonding or anything and air bubbles in ice is not going to make a difference. Its not B because even though ionic bonds hold the ice together, it doesn't prove that ice will float. Its not A because normally the object that is solid has less kinetic energy and sinks. So it has to be D

Well, look at the possible answers one at a time: A) While it is true that water molecules have more kinetic energy than ice, this is also true of every melted compound when compared to it's solid. Solid metals will sink in their liquid. So this one can't be the reason. B) ionic bonds? well, this is a possible for me because I'm not really sure. Even though I cannot think of HOW an ionic bond would keep anything from sinking. C) Ice always has air bubbles that keep it afloat. This seems like a possible until you consider Icebergs. Icebergs float but the ice in them has been formed under extreme pressure and has no air bubbles in them (that is why the ice looks blue). So this one can't be true. D) hydrogen bonds stabilize, making the molecules farther apart. Well, Ice is the only thing that I know that expands as it freezes. Metals shrink from cold, water expands when it freezes. This is why it breaks it's container or lifts up in a slanted glass. E) The crystalline lattice of ice causes it to be denser than liquid water. More dense items always sink in lesser dense items. So this cannot be true. So, sounds like D is the answer. But you should check it.

ice is not as dense as water, thusly the bouyancy of the water is greater than that of the ice, keeping it afloat

The ice is just less dense then the water.

"D" is the right answer - it can't be E b/c if it was E then ice would sink not float on water.

The density of the ice is lower than the density of the water.

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C that's why water expands in a bottle of water when freezed.

E