Ice floats on water as there r tiny air cavities present...u must have known that water has dissolved air..this air freezes with water and hence trapped between the ice...hope it helps..pls upvote...😉😉

**Why does ice float on water?**

**Introduction:**
Ice is the solid form of water, while water is a liquid. It is a well-known fact that most substances are denser in their solid state compared to their liquid state. However, when it comes to water, the situation is quite different. Ice floats on water, which is an intriguing phenomenon. Let's delve into the reasons behind this unique behavior.

**Density of ice and water:**
Normally, when a substance changes from a liquid to a solid state, its molecules arrange themselves in a more compact and ordered manner, resulting in an increase in density. This is the case for most substances. However, water behaves differently.

**The structure of ice:**
The water molecules in ice form a crystal lattice structure. In this structure, each water molecule is bonded to four neighboring water molecules through hydrogen bonds. These hydrogen bonds lead to a specific arrangement of the water molecules, creating a hexagonal lattice pattern with open spaces.

**The structure of liquid water:**
In contrast to ice, liquid water lacks a regular and ordered arrangement. The water molecules are constantly moving, rotating, and forming and breaking hydrogen bonds with neighboring water molecules. This random motion results in a less compact structure compared to ice.

**Density anomaly of water:**
The key factor behind ice floating on water is the density anomaly of water. Most substances become denser when they solidify, but water behaves differently. When water freezes and turns into ice, the hydrogen bonds force the water molecules to arrange themselves in a hexagonal lattice structure, creating open spaces. As a result, the density of ice is lower than that of liquid water.

**The effect of lower density:**
Due to the lower density of ice, it is lighter than an equal volume of water. This difference in density causes ice to float on water. When ice is placed in water, it displaces an amount of water equal to its own weight. The upward buoyant force exerted by the water on the ice is greater than the downward gravitational force, allowing the ice to float.

**Conclusion:**
The unique property of water, known as density anomaly, is responsible for ice floating on water. The hydrogen bonding in ice creates a hexagonal lattice structure with open spaces, resulting in lower density compared to liquid water. This lower density causes ice to displace an amount of water equal to its weight, allowing it to float.