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FREEZING

Short answer: When water cools below 0 °C (32 °F), its molecules lock into a hexagonal crystal lattice held by hydrogen bonds, each molecule bonded to four neighbors. The lattice is more open than liquid water, so ice is about 9 percent less dense and floats, and water expands as it freezes.

The footage shows an animation of water molecules forming ice.

VideoWrite-up1 sources

In collections:Extreme Cold

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What should you know about FREEZING?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Hexagonal.

    DD-444-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Lattice)

  2. Hydrogen bonds.

    DD-444-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Bonds)

Video transcript: FREEZING: Ice Floats Because Freezing Water Spreads Out Into an Open Lattice

Water molecules align to form ice [...] crystallization process where they arrange into a hexagonal lattice as temperatures drop below 0 °C or 32 °F. This alignment [is] due to hydrogen bonding, where each water molecule [bonds] to four others, creating a repeating and spacious pattern. The hexagonal structure results in ice being less dense than liquid water, [allowing] it to float. This unique molecular arrangement not only explains ice's buoyancy, [but also] contributes to its ability to expand as it freezes. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 28.8s Reel ·

Video coming soonFREEZING · Instagram Reel
FREEZING: Ice Floats Because Freezing Water Spreads Out Into an Open Lattice Instagram Reel · · 28.8s

The write-up

Ice floats because freezing water spreads out into an open lattice. Hydrogen bonds hold each molecule to four neighbors.

  1. Exhibit A

    Lattice

    Hexagonal.

  2. Exhibit B

    Bonds

    Hydrogen bonds.

  3. Exhibit C

    Neighbors

    Four per molecule.

  4. Exhibit D

    Density

    About 9% less dense.

  5. Exhibit E

    Expansion

    Water expands on freezing.

Questions people ask about FREEZING

What shape is the ice lattice?

Six-sided.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Lattice) · Wikipedia: Ice

What bonds hold it?

Water.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Bonds) · Wikipedia: Ice

Why does ice float?

Open lattice.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Neighbors) · Wikipedia: Ice

At what temperature does water freeze?

32 °F.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Density) · Wikipedia: Ice

How many neighbors per molecule?

Tetrahedral.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Expansion) · Wikipedia: Ice

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What shape is the ice lattice?

    1. Hexagonal
    2. Cubic only
    3. Round
    4. Random
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Hexagonal Six-sided. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Lattice) · Wikipedia: Ice

  2. What bonds hold it?

    1. Hydrogen bonds
    2. Ionic bonds
    3. Metal bonds
    4. Glue
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Hydrogen bonds Water. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Bonds) · Wikipedia: Ice

  3. Why does ice float?

    1. Less dense
    2. Heavier
    3. Magnetic
    4. Hollow
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Less dense Open lattice. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Neighbors) · Wikipedia: Ice

  4. At what temperature does water freeze?

    1. 0 °C
    2. 10 °C
    3. -40 °C
    4. 100 °C
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 0 °C 32 °F. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Density) · Wikipedia: Ice

  5. How many neighbors per molecule?

    1. Four
    2. Two
    3. Six
    4. Eight
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Four Tetrahedral. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Expansion) · Wikipedia: Ice

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "FREEZING." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-444, last updated Dec 31, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/freezing/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/freezing/ · Last updated

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Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-444-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/freezing/#DD-444-F01

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