Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Freezing Water and Life 
Name: marie
Status: student
Age: 16
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
Question:
water is the only compound I know that expands while freezing. Why is it essential that it does to guarantee our survival? What are all the reasons why we would perish if this property was absent of water?

ALL the reasons? You're not paying us enough.

Replies:
ONE big reason is that if ice sank, the oceans would be mostly solid. Why? sinking ice would fall to the bottom, never to be seen again. More ice forming at the surface would sink and add the the ever-growing pile. Eventually, most of the biosphere would be solid ice.

As it is, cold water sinks, but ice floats. When surface water cools, it sinks and mixes with the water below it, providing oxygenation throughout. Ice, however, doesn't accumulate on the bottom.

Pretty convenient, huh?

Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois

Click here to return to the Zoology Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory