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. $$\begin{aligned}&\text { Blank }\\\&\text { (i) }\\\&\begin{array}{|c|}\hline \text { intriguing } \\ \hline \text { dense } \\\\\hline \text { aqueous } \\\\\hline\end{array}\end{aligned}$$ $$\begin{aligned}&\text { Blank }\\\&\text { (ii) }\\\&\begin{array}{|c|}\hline \text { vapor } \\ \hline \text { plasma } \\\\\hline \text { liquid } \\\\\hline\end{array}\end{aligned}$$ $$\begin{aligned}&\text { Blank }\\\&\text { (iii) }\\\&\begin{array}{|l|}\hline \text { an illustration } \\ \hline \text { an imbibement } \\\\\hline \text { a discordance } \\\\\hline\end{array}\end{aligned}$$

Short answer

The correct answers for the blanks are (i) dense, (ii) liquid, and (iii) an illustration. It gives us the sentence: Water is one of the few molecules that is less dense as a solid than as a liquid; if you need an illustration ,just look at the floating ice in your water glass.

Step-by-step solution

Determine the correct term for blank (i)

Looking at the options, we should select the term that accurately describes the physical property of water as a solid, compared to its other states. The term 'dense' is the correct answer, since water is less dense as a solid (ice) than as a liquid or a gas. This is why ice floats on water.

Determine the correct term for blank (ii)

Next, we consider the options for the second blank. This blank should be filled with the term that denotes a state of matter that is denser than solid water. From the given options - 'vapor', 'plasma', 'liquid', the term 'liquid' is the most suitable as it is denser than ice (solid water).

Determine the correct term for blank (iii)

Finally, we need to find a suitable term for the third blank. The term should refer to the visual demonstration of the fact that ice floats in water. Among the provided options - 'an illustration', 'an imbibement', 'a discordance', the phrase 'an illustration' is the most relevant.

Key concepts

Physical Properties of Water

Water is unique when it comes to its physical properties, making it different from most substances. One of its fascinating characteristics is its behavior upon freezing. Most materials become denser when they solidify, but water behaves in an unexpected way.
When water freezes, its molecules form a specific hexagonal structure due to hydrogen bonding, which makes the solid form (ice) less dense than the liquid form. This is why ice floats on water instead of sinking. This phenomenon is unusual, as typically, solids are denser than their liquid forms.
Water is also known for its high surface tension and the capacity to dissolve a vast array of substances, which is why it's often called the 'universal solvent'. These properties are critical for various biological and physical processes that occur on our planet.

States of Matter

Matter exists primarily in three states: solid, liquid, and gas. These states depend on temperature and pressure. Water is an excellent example of a substance that can easily transition between these states.

• Solid: In this state, water molecules are arranged in a rigid structure, resulting in ice. The molecules are packed closely together but have a specific orientation, limiting their movement.
• Liquid: When ice melts into water, the molecules have more freedom to move around, while still being close together. This increased kinetic energy allows water to flow and take the shape of its container, while maintaining a fixed volume.
• Gas: Water becomes a gas (vapor) when it heats up enough to overcome the attraction between its molecules. In this state, the molecules are far apart and can spread out indefinitely.

The transition between these states involves the addition or removal of energy, which significantly impacts water's density and volume.

Comparative Density

Density is defined as mass per unit volume and is a crucial concept when studying the physical characteristics of substances. In terms of comparative density, water is unique.
In most common substances, the solid state is denser than the liquid state. However, with water, the liquid is denser than its solid form. This exception is illustrated by ice floating on liquid water. The ability of ice to float can have intriguing implications, especially in natural environments.
For instance, in natural bodies of water such as lakes and oceans, the top layer can freeze, creating an insulating layer of ice. This insulation allows aquatic life to survive beneath the ice during cold periods, highlighting the ecological significance of water's density properties. Additionally, understanding water's density is pivotal in various scientific and industrial applications.