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Like most substances water generally become more dense when it is cooled because the molecules are slowing down and they are able to get closer to one another.

However unlike most things liquid water expands when it freezes into a solid. This is because the water molecules, when they are in the form of ice, arrange themselves in a spacious rigid framework in which they are relatively far apart from one another.

However even before the react 0 ⁰C they begin to loosely arrange themselves into the rigid ice framework. This process involves forming bonds with one another. While they do not totally freeze in place until they reach 0 ⁰C they do, on average, end up getting farther apart from one another as they approach 0 ⁰C. It is at the temperature of 4 ⁰C that their tendency to get closer because they are slowing down equals there tendency to get further apart because they are bonding. The density of water will be a maximum at the temperature at they are the closest.

So again, at say 6 ⁰C they are getting closer because the are only slowing down, at 2 ⁰C they are getting farther apart because they are bonding strongly, and at 4 ⁰C the two tendencies exactly cancel each other out.

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14y ago
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10y ago

Physicists supposed that this strange characteristics is caused by some orientation-dependent interactions between water molecules, under 4 0C.

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Q: Why does water have a maximum density at 4 degree Celsius?
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What degree Celsius does water reach maximum density?

Water reaches maximum density at 4 degrees Celsius


What is density of water at 36 degree celsius?

The density of water at 36 degrees Celsius is approximately 0.993 g/cm^3.


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What temperature does pure water reach maximum density?

Pure water reaches its maximum density at a temperature of approximately 4 degrees Celsius. This is why water typically contracts as it cools below this temperature, but expands as it freezes into ice.


Why does water expands at 4 degree celsius?

Water expands at 4 degrees Celsius because this is the temperature at which it reaches its maximum density. As water cools below 4 degrees Celsius, it begins to expand and become less dense, eventually transforming into ice. This unique property of water is due to the hydrogen bonding between water molecules.


What changes do happen to water structure at 4 degree celsius?

At 4 degrees Celsius, water reaches its maximum density and undergoes a phase transition from a more open to a more closed structure due to changes in hydrogen bonding. This results in the expansion of water molecules upon freezing, which is why ice is less dense than liquid water.


Does water that cools from 4 degrees celsius to 0 degrees celsius remain the same in density?

No, water's density decreases as it cools. Water reaches its maximum density at around 4 degrees Celsius, and as it cools further, the water molecules form a crystalline structure, causing the density to decrease.


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Why density of water maximumof 4degreecelius?

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What is the density of water if the temperature is 20 degree Celsius?

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What is the density of water at 39.6 degree Celsius?

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