Question: The greatest expansion of water occurs when: isn't it when it turns to ice?? The other answers are at 4C it gains temperature or at 4C it loses temperature. In the winter the pipes can break because the water in them freezes that's why I thought it was that. Thanks
You are partially correct! Water does expand when it freezes, which is why ice floats on liquid water. However, the question is specifically asking about the greatest expansion of water without mentioning any phase change.
The correct answer to the question is when water is heated from 0°C to 4°C. So, at this particular temperature range, water actually expands the most. This phenomenon occurs due to the unique properties of water molecules and hydrogen bonding.
Now, let's explain how to arrive at this answer. One way to determine the greatest expansion of water is by examining its density. Density is defined as mass per unit volume, and it changes with temperature.
If you were to plot the density of water against temperature, you would observe that water's density decreases as it is heated from freezing (0°C) to about 4°C. This indicates that water expands while getting warmer. However, beyond 4°C, water starts to behave more typically and follows the general trend of most substances where density increases with temperature.
The concept of density can help us understand why pipes may burst in freezing conditions. When water is cooled below 4°C and freezes, it expands and takes up more space. This expansion puts pressure on the walls of the pipes, which can lead to cracks or bursts.
So, to summarize, while water does expand when it freezes, its greatest expansion without phase change occurs when it is heated between 0°C and 4°C.