Wikipedia said:The density of ice is 0.9167 g/cm3 at 0 °C,[3]
Ice and water can't exist together at >9C (in equilibrium). Ice melts and water freezes at 0C and as soon as you drop ice into water, the water's temperature starts to drop until there is quickly an equilibrium (at least locally).pscience said:Please help. Ice is more denser than water when temperature of water ≥9°C. Then why ice doesn't sink in water at these temperatures? I greatly appreciate your help.
Density chart: http://www2.volstate.edu/chem/1110/Density_of_Water.htm
Gullik said:I don't see the water density becoming smaller than that in the chart you linked to, at 9 degrees the water was at the 0.9997xx area.
pscience said:As per any density-Temp chart or graph I found online giving unique info and that is ice is denser than water at temperatures more than 9C. Please be specific about temperatures.
pscience said:Thank you for your time my friend. Do you think that water of any temperature is denser than ice?
Why don't you give the link to that reference so we know what you were looking at.pscience said:As per any density-Temp chart or graph I found online giving unique info and that is ice is denser than water at temperatures more than 9C.
pscience said:No context my friend. I was reading a physics book and curious to know more about it. so, you think that ice is less denser than water of any temperature. Is that correct? thank you.
pscience said:Yes, the same chart I posted above my friend. Water density at 9C is 0.999781 and at 0C is 0.999841. So clearly ice denser as per that chart. So shouldn't ice sink? Thank you and sorry to bother you.
http://www2.volstate.edu/chem/1110/Density_of_Water.htm
That chart only shows liquid water densities. No mention of ice. (Water can be liquid at 0°C.)pscience said:Yes, the same chart I posted above my friend. Water density at 9C is 0.999781 g/mL and at 0C is 0.999841 g/mL. So clearly ice denser as per that chart. So shouldn't ice sink? Thank you and sorry to bother you.
The main reason for ice floating in water at 9°C is due to its unique molecular structure. Water molecules are more densely packed in a solid state than in a liquid state, causing ice to be less dense than liquid water. This difference in density allows ice to float on the surface of water.
As the temperature of water decreases, the molecules slow down and become more tightly packed, making the water more dense. However, when water freezes and turns into ice, the molecules form a crystalline structure that causes them to be less densely packed, resulting in ice having a lower density than liquid water.
This phenomenon, known as the density anomaly of water, is unique to water. Other substances may become more dense as they freeze, causing them to sink instead of float.
This characteristic of water has important implications for the survival of aquatic life during the winter months. Since ice floats on the surface, it acts as an insulating layer, keeping the water underneath from freezing completely and allowing organisms to survive in the liquid water below.
Yes, this phenomenon can be observed at any temperature below 4°C. At 4°C, water reaches its maximum density and from then on, it becomes less dense as the temperature decreases, until it freezes at 0°C. Therefore, ice will float in water at any temperature below 0°C.