Ice
As winter creeps in, the following is some simple chemistry regarding water and ice.
Water is lighter in its solid state than its liquid state so ice floats. Most compounds are heavier as a solid; were it not for this unique property of water, lakes would freeze solid from the bottom up. Instead, ice forms on the surface, sealing in the life below, at times protecting it.
Black ice is clear and free of gas bubbles, and appears dark over deep water. White ice forms when water saturates lower snow layers, and trapped air bubbles reflect and scatter light.
November 3, 2005 4:16 AM | Category: Water