Properties of Water and Ice

Steps:

• Assess A: Ice's hydrogen bonds form a fixed hexagonal lattice, unlike liquid water's fluctuating network.
• Assess B: Freezing aligns molecules into a lattice, releasing energy as heat per phase change principles.
• Assess C: Ice's open structure from hydrogen bonds results in lower density (0.917 g/cm³) than liquid water (1 g/cm³).
• Assess D: No statement given for evaluation.

Why B is correct:

• Solidification is exothermic because forming stronger intermolecular bonds decreases potential energy, releasing heat (ΔH_freezing = -334 J/g for water).

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Statement is actually correct; ice has more regular arrangement.
• C: Incorrect; pure water is denser than ice.
• D: Not enough information.

Final answer: B