why does ice float on water?

Density is defined as, the mass per unit volume of a substance.

Density = Mass / Volume

Density of ice is lesser than the water. This is due to-

As the volume of a substance increases, its density decreases.

Though ice is a solid, it has large number of empty spaces between its particles. These spaces are larger as compared to the spaces present between the particles of water.

Thus, the volume of ice is greater than that of water. Hence, the density of ice is less than that of water. A substance with lower density than water can float on water. Thus, ice floats on water.