In an ice crystal, each water molecule is hydrogen bonded to …………..neighbouring molecules.

In an ice crystal, each water molecule is hydrogen bonded to four neighboring molecules. This unique arrangement is due to the tetrahedral geometry that water molecules adopt when they freeze. Each water molecule (H₂O) has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The oxygen atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms, which results in a partial negative charge on the oxygen and a partial positive charge on the hydrogens.

When water freezes, these partial charges lead to hydrogen bonding, where the hydrogen atom of one water molecule is attracted to the oxygen atom of another. This bonding pattern creates an open hexagonal lattice structure, which is responsible for ice's lower density compared to liquid water. Consequently, ice floats on water, a property that has significant ecological implications. Overall, this hydrogen bonding is critical for maintaining the structure and properties of ice.