Question

State whether the following statement is true or false:

‘The volume of water at 4°C is maximum’.

Answer 1

The statement is false.

Explanation:

Most substances shrink as they cool, but water is different. As water cools to 4°C, it behaves properly and contracts. However, at temperatures below 4°C, molecules begin to form a particular hexagonal lattice (the beginnings of ice formation). This structure takes up more space than liquid water; the volume increases while the density decreases. Because 4°C is the exact temperature at which it stops contracting and begins to expand, it has the smallest volume and highest density.