Final answer:
The correct answer is that the evaporation rate of water increases at higher elevations due to lower air pressure, causing an increase in volume (option C). The temperature of water drops rather than increases, and the density is affected by temperature changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
As you move to a higher elevation, such as in the mountains, the air pressure drops. This decrease in air pressure affects the behavior of water, namely its evaporation rate and vapor pressure. At higher altitudes, the air is thinner and cooler, which means that the vapor pressure of water decreases. As a result, water will boil at a lower temperature due to the decreased air pressure. However, the decreased air pressure also means that there is less atmospheric pressure pushing down on the water, enabling it to evaporate more readily. Therefore, the correct answer is that the evaporation rate of water increases at all temperatures, causing an increase in volume (option C).
Furthermore, the capacity of air to hold water vapor is based on vapor pressure, which increases with temperature because molecular speeds are higher. At lower pressures at higher elevations, the conditions allow for increased evaporation. Additionally, the temperature of water does not increase as you go higher; it drops due to the lower environmental temperatures. The density of water also does not increase with elevation but rather can decrease depending on the temperature changes.