Ice Ih
Ice Ih (pronounced: ice one h, also known as ice one) is the hexagonal crystal form of ordinary ice, or frozen water. Virtually all ice in the biosphere is ice Ih, with the exception only of a small amount of ice Ic which is occasionally present in the upper atmosphere. Ice Ih exhibits many peculiar properties which are relevant to the existence of life and regulation of global climate.
Ice Ih is stable down to −200 °C (73 K; −328 °F) and can exist at pressures up to 0.2 GPa. The crystal structure is characterized by hexagonal symmetry and near tetrahedral bonding angles.
Read more about Ice Ih: Physical Properties, Crystal Structure, Proton Disorder
Famous quotes containing the word ice:
“‘Line in nature is not found;
Unit and universe are round;
In vain produced, all rays return;
Evil will bless, and ice will burn.’
As Uriel spoke with piercing eye,
A shudder ran around the sky;”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)