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Chapter 5: Problem 11

What is unusual about the behavior of water below the temperature of \(4^{\circ} \mathrm{C} ?\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The unusual behavior of water's density below 4°C is caused by hydrogen bonding between water molecules, which leads to the formation of an open hexagonal lattice structure. This structure results in an increase in volume and a decrease in density as temperature drops below 4°C. This property allows ice to float on water, providing insulation to the water body underneath and enabling aquatic life to thrive beneath the ice layer.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the behavior of substances at low temperatures

Generally, the density of substances increases as their temperature decreases because their molecules move closer together due to reduced kinetic energy. However, water behaves differently below 4°C, and it's essential to explain this peculiar behavior.
02

The behavior of water below 4°C

When water cools below 4°C, its density starts to decrease instead of continuing to increase like most substances. This unusual behavior can be attributed to the hydrogen bonding that occurs in water molecules.
03

Explaining the role of hydrogen bonding

Water molecules are formed by one oxygen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms. When water cools down, the hydrogen bonds between the molecules adjust, causing the water molecules to form an open hexagonal structure. This structure is known as a "lattice." As the temperature continues to drop below 4°C, this lattice arrangement becomes more prevalent, leading to an increase in the volume of the water and consequently, a decrease in density.
04

The consequence of water's unusual behavior

Due to its decreasing density at temperatures below 4°C, water becomes less dense and expands as it freezes. This is why ice floats on water, as the ice has a lower density than the liquid water below it. This property has significant implications for the environment and aquatic life, as ice formation on the surface of water bodies provides insulation, preventing the entire water body from freezing and allowing life to thrive beneath the ice layer.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

In Example \(5.3\), is it really necessary to know the mass of the concrete block to solve this problem? Put another way, would the answer be different if it was a 10 -kg block that was dropped instead of a 5 -kg one?

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