Why Ice Floats on Water

Abstract

Why ice floats on water is an unresolved question that underlines the special properties of water. We argue that it is resolved by taking a different approach to structure than is usual, the "exponential scale" description. The exponential scale is placed on a firm foundation based on underlying quantum mechanics. The approach includes and is more general than conventional approaches to molecular and chemical interactions, based on separate and different kinds of "bonds". These are based on perturbation theories applied to few-atom systems. The present approach to the many-body problem is in the same spirit as, but more general than Lifshitz theory of intermolecular interactions.