Essay on "ICE"

Essay 2 pages (571 words) Sources: 3

[EXCERPT] . . . .

When this occurs, a lattice is formed that keeps the Oxygen atoms apart, and thus prevents the breakdown of the water structure into individual molecular pieces (Muzaffar, 2009).

Thus, water does become denser as it cools, but at approximately four degrees centigrade the matrices begin to form (University of Ohio, 2008). Water then begins to freeze and expand. Contrary to the conventional knowledge that is acquired from observation of most fluids as they turn to solids, water expands and becomes less dense rather than more.

The question of why ice floats is answered by this phenomenon. Ice, due to the expansion caused by a molecular need to remain a unified structure, is 9% less dense than the fluid water (University of Ohio, 2008). Because of this decreased density, ice can float in the surface of water. Flotation is a factor of disparate densities. The ice does not displace enough of the water to sink because the water can compensate for the density of the ice with its own. Conversely, a piece of solid steel will sink in water because it has a greater density than the water. For these reasons, ice, which is water, becomes less dense than its fluid self, and floats, much to the consternation of ancient scientists and observers, but not to the present wisdom gathered through technological superiority.

References

Lansing State Journal. (1998). Why does ice float? Retrieved November 13, 2010 from http://www.pa.msu.edu/sciencet/ask_st/040898.html

Muzaffar, I. (2009). Why does ice float on the surface of water? Islam & Science, 19(1).

University of Ohio. (2008). Why does ice float? Retrieved November 13, 2010 from http://www.units.muohio.edu/dragonfly/snow/icefloat.shtml

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