The bursting of water pipes during very cold weather, when the water in the pipes form ice could be attributed to

The bursting of water pipes during very cold weather is primarily attributed to the expansion of water on freezing.

Here's why this happens:

1. **Normal water behavior below freezing:** Typically, when most substances freeze, they contract because the molecules get closer together. However, water behaves differently due to its unique molecular structure. As water freezes, it forms a crystalline structure that makes ice less dense than liquid water, causing it to expand.

2. **Effect of expansion:** When water inside a pipe freezes, it expands. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on the pipe walls because the solid ice takes up more space than the liquid water. Most pipes are rigid and do not have enough room to accommodate the expanded volume of ice.

3. **Resulting pressure:** The increased pressure caused by the expanding ice can cause the pipe to crack or burst, especially if there is no other outlet for the water or ice to expand into.

In summary, pipes burst during cold weather primarily due to the expansion of water as it freezes, which creates pressure that the pipe cannot withstand. This phenomenon is due to the unique property of water where it expands upon freezing, unlike most other substances which contract in their solid form.