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It is because it is less dense than water, which is unusual as a solid of the same element is usually more dense. Also surface tension of the water helps.
The reason why ice floats in water is because ice is less dense than water. The density of ice is 0.9 g/cm3 whereas the density of water is 1.0 g/cm3. In plain English this means that if you had the same volume of ice and the same volume of water, the weight of the ice would actually be less than the weight of the water. Ice is also lighter than water because it contains air.
When water freezes it forms a structure known as a giant covalent lattice. The lattice holds the atoms quite far apart compared to in water. Therefore it is less dense and therefore....it floats on the more dense water
Because ice has lower mass density than water. Water has highest density at 4°C, so it's always 4°C at the bottom of oceans, which explains how fishes and other sea animals can survive during winter.

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Why ice floats on the surface of earth?

Because ICE is less dense than water, it is the only solid which floats on its equivalent liquid.


Why does water float in water?

Ice floats because ice is less dense (lighter) that water, especially the denser oceanic waters. Though ice floats, most of the ice cube, ice berg, etc, remains beneath the surface with only a portion showing above the surface.


What is the only solid that floats in its liquid?

The only solid that floats in its liquid is ice. This occurs because the density of ice is lower than the density of liquid water, allowing it to float on the surface.


Why ice floats in in water?

The reason why ice will float in water is because ice is not as dense as water, therefore, it floats.


Why does ice float on the surface of water-?

Ice floats on water because it has a lower density than water. It flows on water when either it is blown by the wind or it is moved by water currents.


Why ice floats on water and does not sink?

Ice is less dense than water, so it floats.


Why dont ice bergs sink in the ocean?

Ice is less dense than water, so it floats in water (with about 1/8 floating above the surface).


What happens when ice and patrol are in the same container?

when ice and petrol are in same container ,ice will float on the surface of petrol, because ice is a frozen form of water .As water floats on oil it can not mix in it.


When does ice float in water?

Ice floats in water whenever you PUT ice in water, That's so simple. Whenever you put ice in water it floats ALL THE TIME!


How does ice floats on water?

It is less dense than water, therefore it floats on water.


Which has higher denesity ice or water?

Ice has a LOWER density than water as ice FLOATS in water!!!!!!! Upon freezing water to form ice, expansion occurs thus more volume and surface area but the same weight.


When does water float and why does it float?

Water floats when it is in the solid phase, called ice. Ice floats because the density of ice is less than the density of water.