# How Water Freezes (DD-468)

> As water cools below 0 °C (32 °F), hydrogen bonds lock each molecule to four neighbors in a hexagonal lattice. The open, spacious structure makes ice less dense than liquid water, so it floats, and causes water to expand as it freezes. The footage shows an animation of molecules linking into a honeycomb lattice.

- Department: Science
- First published: 2025-01-24
- Last updated: 2025-01-24
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/how-water-freezes/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-468-F01**: Hexagonal. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Lattice))_
- **DD-468-F02**: Hydrogen bonds. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Bonds))_

## Write-up

Freezing water locks into a six-sided lattice. Its open structure makes ice float.

1. **Lattice**: Hexagonal.
2. **Bonds**: Hydrogen bonds.
3. **Neighbors**: Four.
4. **Density**: Less than liquid.
5. **Expansion**: On freezing.

## Related case files

- [FREEZING (DD-444)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/freezing/): I linked more on freezing water

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: How Water Freezes: Freezing Water Locks Into a Six-Sided Lattice

- Duration: 29.3 s · Published: 2025-01-24
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DFOQyJ0ptI6.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know water molecules align to form ice through a crystallization process where they arrange into a hexagonal lattice structure as temperatures drop below 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This alignment occurs due to hydrogen bonding where each water molecule connects 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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Lattice shape?**  
A: Six sides. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Lattice) · Wikipedia: Ice)_

**Q: Which bonds?**  
A: Water. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Bonds) · Wikipedia: Ice)_

**Q: Why ice floats?**  
A: Open. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Neighbors) · Wikipedia: Ice)_

**Q: Freezing point?**  
A: 32 °F. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Density) · Wikipedia: Ice)_

**Q: Neighbors per molecule?**  
A: Tetrahedral. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Expansion) · Wikipedia: Ice)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Ice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "How Water Freezes." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-468, last updated Jan 24, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/how-water-freezes/