Which statement about the density of ice compared to liquid water at the same temperature is correct?

• A. Ice and liquid water have the same density.
• B. Ice has a lower density than liquid water.
• C. Ice has a higher density than liquid water.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the definition of density, which is mass per unit volume, expressed as \(\text{density} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}}\).
2. Understand that when water freezes to form ice, its molecular structure changes to a more open hexagonal arrangement due to hydrogen bonding.
3. Recognize that this open structure in ice causes it to occupy more volume than the same mass of liquid water at the same temperature.
4. Since the mass remains constant but the volume increases upon freezing, the density of ice decreases compared to liquid water.
5. Therefore, the correct statement is that ice has a lower density than liquid water at the same temperature.