Which describes a characteristic of water that is responsible for frost wedging?(1 point)
Responses
Water expands as it freezes.
Water expands as it freezes.
Water condenses as it is heated.
Water condenses as it is heated.
Water contracts as it freezes.
Water contracts as it freezes.
Water evaporates as it is heated.
Water expands as it freezes.
The characteristic of water that is responsible for frost wedging is that water expands as it freezes.
The characteristic of water that is responsible for frost wedging is that water expands as it freezes. This expansion occurs because the water molecules form a crystalline structure when they freeze, causing them to arrange in a more spaced-out manner. This expansion exerts pressure on the surrounding rocks or soil, leading to the mechanical weathering process known as frost wedging.
To arrive at this answer, you can recall the properties of water and its behavior during freezing. Water is unique in that it becomes less dense as it freezes, unlike most other substances. This is due to the hydrogen bonding between water molecules. The expansion during freezing is an important factor in various natural processes, such as weathering, the formation of icebergs, and the creation of potholes in roads.