Why does ice float on water but sinks in methylated spirits?

Answer 1

The density of rubbing alcohol is 75% that of water. Thus ice (frozen water which is roughly equal in density to liquid water), sinks in rubbing alcohol since it has more mass per cubic millimeter than the alcohol does. In order to float, the object would have to be less dense than the alcohol per cubic space.

Answer 2

As water freezes, it forms crystals that are not uniform and regular. This causes the ice to take more volume than it would if it was liquid. Since the same mass now occupies greater volume, it is lighter and less dense than liquid water. This causes ice to float at least until it melts. Methylated spirits is less dense than water and is still less dense than water in its frozen form. Whenever something is denser than its surroundings, it will sink. The same holds true for matter in all its forms.

Answer 3

Ice floats on water because it is less dense than liquid water due to its crystalline structure. In contrast, ice sinks in methylated spirits (a mixture of ethanol and methanol) because the density of ice is greater than that of the spirits. This difference in densities causes the ice to either float or sink in the respective liquids.

Answer 4

density of ice float is less than water and more than Ethanol.

Answer 5

Ice is made out of H2O which is water and ice is expanded water making it lighter than what water really is while alcohol cannot be frozen at 0 degrees celcius, ice will not float in alcohol.

Answer 6

Ice is less dense than water, so it floats.

Answer 7

the one in rubbing alcohol