Question

A beaker containing water at 0° Celsius is placed on a bench. State and explain why the changes in stability of the beaker when water freezes.

a) The beaker becomes more stable because ice is denser than water.
b) The beaker becomes less stable because ice is denser than water.
c) The beaker becomes more stable because ice is less dense than water.
d) The beaker becomes less stable because ice is less dense than water.

Answer 1

When water freezes, the beaker becomes less stable because ice is less dense than water. Ice floats on the surface of water due to its lower density compared to liquid water.

Step-by-step explanation:

The beaker becomes less stable because ice is less dense than water. When water freezes, its molecules form a rigid lattice-like structure with hydrogen bonds intact. This causes the molecules to be pushed farther apart, resulting in a lower density of ice compared to liquid water. As a result, ice floats on the surface of the water, creating an insulating barrier to protect the animal and plant life beneath.