Quote:
Originally posted by bdjuf
so... when there is a sheet of ice on top of the water, how does the temperature of water vary as we go deeper and deeper starting from the top?
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Water has a very peculiar property. Everything contracts as it gets colder, but once it reaches 4 degrees C, water starts to expand. As this means it also becomes more bouyant, the colder water rises to the surface and freezes, while the lower levels remain above 0 degrees C. The ice also acts as insulation, which is one reason why lakes never freeze solid.