PPT Slide

18

The Density of Solid and Liquid Water

• The pattern of 4 H-bonds per H 2O gives  ice its hexagonal, open structure.

• The 6-sided symmetry of snowflakes  reflects the hexagonal molecular arrange- ment of water molecules in ice.

• The large intermolecular spaces in ice give the  solid state of water a lower density than the liquid.

• When ice melts, the tetrahedral arrangement breaks down and the  molecules pack more closely than in the solid.

• As a result, water is most dense at around 4ƒC. With more heating,  the density decreases through normal thermal expansion.

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