Science Minute Script:

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Ice's Little Trick

This Science Minute was researched and written by Archer C., of Ithaca, NY.

Host: Today on our show we're talking to Ice, a solid friend of water. Ice, the weird thing about you is that you float on water even though you're made of water. How do you do it?

Ice: First, I need to tell you why anything floats. If you fill a container with anything that weighs less than that same container filled with water, it will float.

Host: But in your case, Ice, you ARE water!

Ice: Ah, the 32 degree Fahrenheit question! Water expands as it freezes, so less water fills more space.

Host: OK, Ice, let me see if I've got this. You float on water because a volume of you weighs less than the same volume of water. And that's because when water freezes, it expands.

Ice: You've got it!

Host: Ice, thanks for explaining your little trick! That's our show; you've been listening to All Liquids Considered on WH2O.