ice

Ice is the solid form of water, created when water cools below its freezing point of 0°C (32°F). In this state, water molecules slow down and arrange themselves in a structured pattern called a crystalline lattice. This structured arrangement makes ice rigid and less dense than liquid water, which is why ice floats. Ice can form naturally through freezing in cold environments or artificially in freezers. It plays a vital role in Earth's climate system, animal habitats, and human activities such as preservation and cooling.