When water freezes into ice, it can swell or expand by how much?

When water freezes into ice, it expands by about 9%. This phenomenon is significant because it is one of the few substances that behaves this way. As water cools and approaches freezing, its molecular structure begins to form a lattice arrangement that occupies more space than in its liquid state. This expansion is responsible for various natural occurrences, such as the cracking of ice on lakes in the winter and the swelling of frozen water in pipes, which can lead to burst pipes.

The expansion of 9% during the freezing process is a critical factor in many environmental and practical scenarios, highlighting the unique properties of water. Understanding this characteristic is essential in fields such as plumbing, civil engineering, and environmental science, where the effects of frozen water need to be managed effectively to prevent damage and ensure safety.