Liquids generally have lower density as compared to solids. But you must have observed that ice floats on water. Find out why.  

 

Answer

Anything which is less dense than water, floats on water

 

Usually solids have higher densities than liquids, and hence the solids sink in liquids. 

  • But ice , even though a solid, floats in water because it is less dense

 

 

Ice is less dense because when water freezes into ice, it has space in it which contains air. 

Whereas water does not have any such space in it. 

Due to the spaces containing air, the density of ice is less than the density of water. 

Hence, ice floats on water.

Why does ice float-Teachoo-01.jpg

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Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo