What is the Difference Between Water and Ice?

The main difference between water and ice lies in their molecular structure and density. Here are the key differences:

1. Molecular Structure: Water has a looser and more random structure, consisting of strings of bonded molecules that can slide closer together. In contrast, ice has a more rigid and organized structure, forming a crystalline lattice when water molecules are held at a certain distance from each other through hydrogen bonding.
2. Density: Water is denser than ice. While most substances are denser in their solid state than in their liquid state, water is an exception. Ice has a density of 917 kg per cubic meter, while liquid water has a density of 1000 kg per cubic meter. This is why ice floats on water.
3. Volume: When water turns into ice, its volume increases. This is because the hydrogen bonds in ice cause the molecules to push apart, increasing the space between them.
4. Temperature: Water is in a liquid state at room temperature, while ice is the solid form of water that occurs at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).

In summary, water and ice differ in their molecular structure, density, volume, and temperature. Water has a looser, more random structure and is denser than ice, which has a rigid, organized structure and floats on water due to its lower density.

Comparative Table: Water vs Ice

The main difference between water and ice lies in their states of matter. Water is a liquid, while ice is a solid. Here is a table comparing their properties:

In summary, water is a liquid with freely moving molecules, while ice is a solid with fixed molecules in a crystalline structure. Ice is formed when water is cooled below 0°C, and it melts back into water when heated above this temperature.