Structure of Water and Hydrogen Bonding

AP Biology· difficulty 2/5

Ice floats on liquid water because

  • A

    Ice contains dissolved gases that lower its mass per volume

  • B

    Ionic bonds in ice form a denser crystalline lattice

  • C

    Hydrogen bonds in ice form a less dense crystalline lattice

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  • D

    Air pockets trapped in ice reduce its overall density

Explanation

Each water molecule in ice is held at fixed angles by H-bonds, creating a more open lattice with more empty space than liquid water.

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