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Question

Question: At what temperature the competing effects of contraction and expansion produce the smallest volume f...

At what temperature the competing effects of contraction and expansion produce the smallest volume for liquid water?

Explanation

Solution

We will answer this question by first defining contraction and expansion. We will also tell the meaning of volume. Later we will mention the temperature at which the competing effects of contraction and expansion produce the smallest volume for liquid water.

Complete step-by-step solution:
Let's look at the definition of contraction and expansion:
Contraction: A contraction is the act of shrinking or shortening something, or it might be the process of becoming smaller or compressed.
expansion: the process of growing larger or more extensive
Let us look at what volume means: it is the amount of space that a substance or object occupies, or that is enclosed within a container.
The maximum density of water is at 4C4^\circ C.Below that temperature, the water begins to expand as the crystalline lattice forms. The density decreases above that temperature due to increased molecular vibrational activity.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Liquids that lack hydrogen bonding often exhibit increasing density as temperature drops because molecules move closer together. Water begins to demonstrate orientation due to hydrogen bonding at temperatures below4C4^\circ C.

Note: Many have a wrong opinion about the effect of cool temperature on water. Water becomes less thick as its volume grows. Water contracts and shrinks in volume as it cools. Water grows denser as its volume decreases. Warmer water is less dense while cooler water is more dense for the same mass of water, but the least volume is always at 4C4^\circ C.