pallidin said:From http://www.simetric.co.uk/si_water.htm
"When water freezes it expands rapidly adding about 9 % by volume. Fresh water has a maximum density at around 4° Celsius. Water is the only substance where the maximum density does not occur when solidified. As ice is lighter than water, it floats."
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Now, I can not speak for the accuracy of that statement, but that's what that link says.
If that were not true, we couldn't go ice fishing.shaviprem said:i have had this problem for some time. why exactly does water show a maximum density at about 277 K. and is it the only substance to show such a behaviour.
The maximum density of water at 277K is due to the unique molecular structure of water. At this temperature, the water molecules form a highly organized lattice structure, with hydrogen bonds being maximally aligned. This results in the molecules being packed closer together, leading to a higher density.
As the temperature of water decreases from room temperature, the density increases until it reaches its maximum density at 277K. As the temperature continues to decrease, the water molecules start to form a less organized lattice structure, causing the density to decrease again.
Water has a maximum density due to its unique properties. Unlike most substances, water becomes less dense as it freezes. This is because the water molecules form a highly organized lattice structure when frozen, with larger spaces between the molecules, resulting in a lower density.
As water freezes, the density decreases. This is due to the water molecules forming a highly organized lattice structure, with larger spaces between the molecules. This results in the density of ice being lower than the density of liquid water.
The maximum density of water at 277K is crucial for aquatic life as it allows for a more stable and consistent environment for organisms living in bodies of water. This is because water at this temperature sinks to the bottom, helping to evenly distribute nutrients and oxygen throughout the water column, supporting the survival of aquatic life.