Why ice floats on water

Sten Andersson*, B. W. Ninham

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    10 Citations (Scopus)

    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.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)683-693
    Number of pages11
    JournalSolid State Sciences
    Volume5
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2003

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