The anomalous expansion of water dictates that ice floats on liquid water. Which statement accurately describes the precise solid-state architecture responsible for this lower density?

Question

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. In solid ice, each water molecule is tetrahedrally hydrogen-bonded to exactly four other molecules. This highly ordered 3D hexagonal arrangement creates an open, cage-like structure with massive empty interstitial voids, drastically increasing the volume and lowering the density compared to liquid water.

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