@Deborah why does water expand when it is frozen because in a solid the particles are closer together than in a liquid

Question: @Deborah why does water expand when it is frozen because in a solid the particles are closer together than in a liquid Xx
- Keywords:
  expand,
  freeze,
  particle,
  water
Asked by Grace&Owen to Deborah on 23 Jun 2017.
- Deborah Aitken answered on 23 Jun 2017:
  
  Most solids have the particles closer together you’re right, but water is special. Water forms a hexagonal crystal structure when it freezes because the hydrogen atoms line up and form bonds which means that the particles are actually further apart therefore ice is less dense than water and floats!

Question: @Deborah why does water expand when it is frozen because in a solid the particles are closer together than in a liquid Xx