Results of the Thermal Expansion of Water
Typically substances contract (get smaller) when cooled and expand (get larger) when heated. As a result, a given substance in solid form is almost always denser than the same substance in liquid form. Because water expands when freezing, the solid form of water (ice) is less dense than the liquid form of water. As a result, ice floats on water.
In addition, because water expands when freezing, water pipes can burst if the water inside freezes. In addition, because body tissues typically contain a relatively large amount of water, the odd thermal expansion of water can result in tissue destruction during cryosurgery.
In addition, because water expands when freezing, water pipes can burst if the water inside freezes. In addition, because body tissues typically contain a relatively large amount of water, the odd thermal expansion of water can result in tissue destruction during cryosurgery.