Question

Solid state is denser than the liquid and gaseous states of the same substance. Which of the following is an exception to this rule?

(a) Mercury

(b) Carbon dioxide (dry ice)

(c) Ice

(d) NaCl

I got this question in an interview for job.

My question is based upon Solid State Characteristics in section Solid State of Chemistry – Class 12

Answer 1

Right choice is (c) Ice

The best explanation: The density of ice is about 0.92 g/cm^3 while that of water is 1 g/cm^3. Mercury has density 14.184 g/cm^3 as solid and 13.69 g/cm^3 as liquid. Carbon dioxide has density 1.56 g/cm^3 as solid and 1.10 g/cm^3 as liquid. NaCl has density 2.71 g/cm^3 as solid and 1.556 g/cm^3 in molten state. Therefore only ice has lesser density as a solid than as a liquid.