Water reaches its maximum density at 4°C (40°F). As it cools further and freezes into ice, it actually becomes less dense. However, most substances are most dense in their solid state than in their liquid state. Water is different because of hydrogen bonding.
Each water molecule is made of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom. These are connected to one another by very strong chemical bonds called covalent bonds. Water molecules are connected to each other by much weaker chemical bonds called hydrogen bonds between the positively charged hydrogen atoms, and one negatively charged oxygen atom in a neighboring water molecule.
As water gets colder than 4 degrees Celsius the hydrogen bonds connecting different water molecules adjust to keep the negatively charged oxygen atoms apart. This results in a crystal latice which begins to form at less than 4 degrees Celsius. This crystal latice is completely formed at freezing, and is commonly known as ice.
As water gets colder than 4 degrees Celsius the hydrogen bonds connecting different water molecules adjust to keep the negatively charged oxygen atoms apart. This results in a crystal latice which begins to form at less than 4 degrees Celsius. This crystal latice is completely formed at freezing, and is commonly known as ice.
So, ice floats as it is less dense than water.
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