I was learning about how water, because of its hydrogen bonds, actually gets less dense as it goes into its solid state - I was just wondering, what other elements do this? Are they similar to water?
P.S. I want to make sure that I understand why ice is less dense than water in its liquid state, so please correct me if I am wrong.
In water, the hydrogen bonds have the ability to move around and bounce with other hydrogen bonds. They also have the ability to break and reform. Their ability to move around and bounce around allow them to be more 'closely knit'. But, as they get cooler, they, the molecules, loose their kinetic energy and thus stop moving around and become more framed and rigid. They loose the ability to come closely together. And thus, ice is less dense.
What I don't understand also, is why making water cold makes the hydrogen bonds spread out. Why don't they just freeze in the position they are in, instead of spreading out?