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by sunil gupta on November 19th, 2004

sunil gupta

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Why do lakes freeze from top to bottom?

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  • by JackNicklaus on October 3rd, 2005

    JackNicklaus

    H2O is an amazing compound. It becomes more dense as it's temperature is reduced. At about 4 degrees above freezing (C degrees) it starts to become less dense. This is the fact that explain why the somewhat solid form of H2O, ice, floats on top of water. This phenomenon is caused by the angle between the two hydrogen molecules being 105 degrees. When the crystals are forming they lock together geometrically thus forming a less dense physical formation. If you dissolve salt into water you lower the freezing point and raise the boiling point. But, that is another subject for discussion.

    Comments

    • Good answer.

      gondola

      by gondola on January 17th, 2006

    • Exellent answer. This characteristic of water is sometimes referred to as "the anomolie of water," because other elements and compounds merely contract as they pass from liquid to solid state.

      skikyes

      by skikyes on September 19th, 2006

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