Why is water densest in the liquid phase

There is maximum intermolecular interaction in the liquid state At what temperature is water the most dense? Why is this the case with water, but not other substances? Feb 18, As you remark, this is a very unusual property of water Related questions How do I determine the molecular shape of a molecule? What is the lewis structure for co2? This is why water expands as it freezes and is less dense than the surrounding liquid water.

Because solid water is less dense, ice floats on the surface of a lake in winter and insulates the water below from freezing, providing a vital benefit to aquatic organisms. If water in its solid form was denser than water in its liquid form, lakes and ponds would freeze solid to the bottom during winter, and no longer provide viable habitats. In liquid water, hydrogen bonds connect each water molecule to approximately 3. When water freezes into ice, it crystallizes into a rigid lattice that increases the space between molecules, with each molecule hydrogen bonded to 4 other molecules.

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