what is the anomalus of expansion of water
Answers
In one word the density is responsible for the anomalous expansion of water. When temperature falls, the top layer of water contracts, becomes denser and sinks to the bottom. A circulation is thus set up until the entire water reaches its maximum density at 4°C. If the temperature falls further, the top layer expands and remains on the top till it freezes. Thus even though the upper layer are frozen the water near the bottom is at 4°C.
●SCIENTIFIC REASON
Anomalous expansion of water takes place because when water is heated to 277K hydrogen bonds are formed. Though ice is supposed to expand when it is converted into water, this gradual formation of hydrogen bonds causes it to contract, i.e. the contraction caused due to the formation of hydrogen bonds is greater than the actual expansion of ice. At 277K water has the maximum density because all the hydrogen bonds are formed by 277K beyond which water obeys the kinetic theory of molecules, an increase in volume when heated and the reverse when cooled. The same thing happens in the reverse when water is cooled beyond 277K.
This anomalous expansion of water is an abnormal property of water whereby it expands instead of contracting when the temperature goes from 4°C to 0°C, and it becomes less dense. The density becomes less as it freezes because molecules of water normally form open crystal structures when in solid form.