QUESTION #371

How much does water expand when it's frozen?

Asked by: Remi

Answer

Short Answer: by about 9% to 10%

Long Answer:

Normally, things expand when heated and contract when cooled. Water is an exception to this rule. Even though water does expand when heated and contract when cooled at most temperatures, water expands when cooled and contracts when heated between 4 degrees Celsius and 0 degrees Celsius.

A very good web site about the properties and oddities of water can be found on the Okanagan University, Dept. of Geology website at: http://www.geog.ouc.bc.ca/physgeog/contents/8a.html
Answered by: Charles Hill, Network Engineer, Deltona, FL