Water's anomalous properties

Water's anomalous properties stem from its molecular structure and hydrogen bonding. Unlike most substances, water reaches its maximum density at 4°C, causing ice to float—a vital trait for aquatic life. Its high specific heat allows it to store and transfer heat effectively, moderating Earth's climate. Water also expands when it freezes, due to the way molecules arrange into a crystalline structure, making ice less dense than liquid water. These unique behaviors arise from hydrogen bonds—attractions between water molecules—that influence its flexibility, boiling point, and solubility, giving water its essential and unusual physical characteristics.