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Article: Why does ice float on the surface of water?(Essay)
- Article from:
- Islam & Science
- Article date:
- June 22, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 Center for Islam & Science. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The regular mail pouch that went with the caravan from KhwArazm to Bukhara on a certain spring day had a letter from AbC RayhAn al-Biruni for Ibn Sina. The letter continued their discussion from where it was left in the previous letter, but this time al-BirCni asked two additional questions: (i) If things expand on heating and contract on cooling, then why does a sealed flask full of water break upon freezing? (ii) Why does ice float on the surface of water although it is closer to earthly nature in its accumulation of cold and in its concrete solidity?
"The answer to your first question is already present in the question itself," responded Ibn SinA in a letter ...