Question

Water is one of the few molecules that is less (i)_____________ as a solid than as a (ii)____________ ; if you need (iii)____________ , just look at the floating ice in your water glass. Blank (i) a. intriguing b. dense c. aqueous Blank (ii) a. vapor b. plasma c. liquid Blank (iii) a. an illustration b. an imbibement c. a discordance

Short answer

Blank (i) - 'dense', Blank (ii) - 'liquid', Blank (iii) - 'an illustration'

Step-by-step solution

- Identify the Property of Water

Understand that water has a unique property. As it freezes and becomes a solid (in the form of ice), it is less dense than when it is in a liquid state. This principle explains why ice floats on water.

- Fill in Blank (i)

With this understanding, it can be deduced that the word to fill in Blank (i) must refer to this property of being 'less something as a solid'. The only option here that fits is 'dense' because it relates to the characteristic being discussed. Therefore, the correct fill for Blank (i) is 'dense'.

- Fill in Blank (ii)

The phrase preceding Blank (ii) refers to 'a solid'. This sets up a comparison, so the word must be a different state of matter than solid. Considering the available options, the correct choice is 'liquid' because water is denser as a liquid than as a solid.

- Fill in Blank (iii)

For Blank (iii), the sentence makes it clear that you are expected to visualize a common observation that illustrates the property of water specified in Blank (i). The word that fits best here is 'an illustration' as it refers to a representation or example of the mentioned situation.

Key concepts

Properties of Water

Water is a remarkable substance with unique characteristics, making it vital for life on Earth. One of its extraordinary properties is that it is denser in its liquid form than in its solid form. This is unusual because most substances are denser when solidified. This property is due to the hydrogen bonding in water, which forms a crystalline structure when it freezes.

These hydrogen bonds spread the molecules further apart, making ice less dense than liquid water. Because of this property, ice floats on liquid water.

• This lowers the freezing point, allowing aquatic life to survive under the ice in frozen lakes and oceans.
• It plays a vital role in climate regulation, as floating ice in polar regions helps to reflect sunlight.

Understanding these properties allows us to appreciate water's role in supporting ecosystems and the global climate.

Density of Ice

The density of a substance is a measure of how much mass it has in a given volume. For most substances, the solid state is denser than the liquid state. However, ice is an exception due to its unique molecular structure. The density of ice is about 0.92 grams per cubic centimeter, compared to liquid water's density of about 1 gram per cubic centimeter.

This difference arises from the open hexagonal lattice structure of the solid ice, which occupies more space than when the water molecules are in their randomly arranged liquid state. Consequently, the distinctive density of ice has implications in natural phenomena.

• Icebergs float because they are less dense than the surrounding seawater.
• In winter, ice forms on the surface of bodies of water while the water below remains liquid, providing a habitat for aquatic life.

Recognizing this helps to understand natural events and the behavior of water in different states.

State of Matter

Matter exists in different states, primarily solid, liquid, and gas. The state of matter is determined by the arrangement and energy of its particles. Water is unique because it is found naturally on Earth in all three states and can transition between them quite readily.

In the solid state, as ice, water has a definite shape and volume with fixed particles. As a liquid, water takes the shape of its container but maintains a fixed volume, and in a gaseous state, as vapor, water is compressible with particles spread further apart.

• The flexibility of water to shift between states is crucial for various biological and environmental processes.
• This includes processes such as the water cycle, which involves evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, playing a crucial role in sustaining life.

Understanding water’s ability to change states provides insights into its essential functions in nature.

Liquid vs Solid

The comparison between liquid and solid states of matter involves a variety of physical properties. For water, the transition from a liquid to a solid signals a significant change in density and structure. In its liquid state, water is fluid and conforms to the shape of its container.

The intermolecular forces are weaker and allow movement, which enables the unique behaviors of liquid water. In contrast, as a solid, water forms a structured and rigid lattice, resulting in a decrease in density, as we witness with ice.

• Temperature and pressure conditions influence the transition between these states, enabling phenomena such as freezing, melting, and boiling.
• These properties of matter are essential for applications like cooling, heating, and even geological processes.

By exploring the differences between these states, we gain a better understanding of water’s properties and utility in everyday life.