Eli5: Materials expand when heated and contracts when cooled. So why does water expand when it freezes instead of contracting?

Question

Eli5: Materials expand when heated and contracts when cooled. So why does water expand when it freezes instead of contracting?

In: 24

Answer 1

The two hydrogen bonds are located 120 degrees from each other on a water molecule. In ice the bonds have increased to be 124 degrees from each other. This increases the space between the polar bonds between the molecules.