Why does ice float in water, unlike most other frozen solids?

Ice floats in water because it is less dense than liquid water, kind of like how a balloon filled with air floats above you when you're holding it.

When water freezes, its molecules arrange themselves into a grid-like structure, making the ice slightly bigger than the same amount of water. It’s like when you spread out your toys on the floor, they take up more space than when they’re all crammed in a box. So even though ice feels solid and cold, it's actually lighter per unit of space compared to liquid water.

Because ice is less dense, it doesn’t sink, it floats, like a ship on the ocean. This is why lakes and ponds don’t freeze completely from bottom to top; instead, the ice forms on top, keeping the water below warmer and allowing fish and plants to survive the winter.

Imagine you're wearing a big fluffy coat, you take up more space but feel lighter than when you're dressed in tight clothes. Ice is like that fluffy coat for water! Ice floats in water because it is less dense than liquid water, kind of like how a balloon filled with air floats above you when you're holding it.