Ice

water · freezing · minerals · nature

Water becomes ice. When water gets cold enough to reach 0 degrees Celsius (that's 32 degrees Fahrenheit), it freezes into a solid state called ice. This happens naturally all over Earth, from frozen lakes to icy mountains.

Ice is a mineral. Ice is actually considered a mineral because it's a naturally occurring solid with an ordered crystal structure, just like diamonds or quartz. This makes it special and scientifically important.

Color depends on impurities. Pure ice can look clear and transparent, but ice with air bubbles or tiny particles of dirt mixed in appears bluish-white or cloudy. The impurities trapped inside change how light passes through it.

Ice exists in space. Ice doesn't just exist on Earth, it forms on other planets and floats through space in icy comets and interstellar clouds. Scientists find frozen water throughout the universe.