Apologies if this question is confusing.
I get that if you see a block of ice that it’s just all h2o molecules packed/linked right next to each other with miniscule amounts of empty space between them but I’m not sure how the h2o molecules in liquid water are organized. Is it the same where water is 100% h2o molecules all connected to each other with little to no space between each molecule but in a more amorphous shape? Or is there much more space between the molecules/they aren’t directly connected to each other and they’re all just floating around more?
In: Chemistry
Water is actually a bad example. *Most* matter occupies less space as it changes from gas to liquid to solid. Water occupies less space going from gas (water vapor) to liquid (water) but occupies *more* space when it changes from liquid to solid.
Think of liquids like the ball pit we used to play in as kids. Nothing is rigidly connected. There is some space between the molecules, enough to allow them to slide passed each other.
In ice the h2o molecules are stationary or move very slowly. But its actually space inbetween them. And they are organiced in a set structure aligned the same way. And is less densely packed than water aka why it floats.
In steam these molecules just bounce wildley around with no set structure.
And in water they are packed very compactly with near to none extra space in between them but not in a set structure. But they move around.
there is space between the molecules – the space gets bigger as change state – solid – liquid – gas -they stay same shape.(water is ‘trangular’-Hydrogen atom at top – the two bottom points oxygen-also yheis is why when snow the flakes are ALWAYS six pointed in shape
In addition to being more dense than ice when in liquid state, liquid water also makes and breaks Hydrogen bonds more. As the particles move past each other, they may form or break these bonds. H bonds are why there is surface tension in liquid as well as the lattice structure of ice. Vapor it’s less of a thing because they have so much energy that they don’t form those bonds anymore. [water phase change](https://youtu.be/NQhjAtCKghE) this video is a good demonstration of the intermolecular bonds.
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