Chapter 7: Problem 7

What happens to the physical structure of water as it cools below \(4^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\left(39^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\right)\) ? What are some visible indications of these physical changes?

Short Answer

Expert verified

When water cools below 4°C it starts expanding instead of becoming denser which is unlike most substances. This results in water molecules moving apart, forming a hexagonal structure and becoming less dense. Visible indications of these changes include the ice that forms on the surface of a water body and floats due to lower density of ice than liquid water.

Step by step solution

Identify the structural changes in water below 4°C

As water cools down and reaches 4°C, it behaves differently than most substances. Instead of becoming denser, it starts expanding, and the structure of water changes. The water molecules move apart leading to a hexagonal structure, which results in it becoming less dense. This explains why ice floats on water.

Explanation of visible indications

Visible indications of this physical change are quite evident. When a water body like a lake or pond cools down, ice forms on the surface first due to the expansion and lower density of water. The ice visibly floats on the top, which wouldn't be possible if ice was denser than liquid water. Additionally, for water bodies in cold regions, a layer of ice often forms on the top surface while liquid water remains below, which is visible to us as a clear physical change.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Geography Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

What happens to the physical structure of water as it cools below \(4^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\left(39^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\right)\) ? What are some visible indications of these physical changes?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Identify the structural changes in water below 4°C

Explanation of visible indications

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Geography Textbooks

Coasts Geography

Health And Human Rights

Energy Security

Dynamic Landscapes

Geographical Skills

Living World

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.