Chapter 21, Problem 17A

To determine

The temperature at which the density of water is greatest.

Answer to Problem 17A

  $3.98°\text{C}$

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The density of any substance is equal to the ratio of its mass by its volume. The density of almost all substances is greatest in its solid phase than in the liquid state. This means that the colder the substance,the greater is its density. But water does not show this property because ice floats on water.

At $\text{3}\text{.98}°\text{C}$ , the density of water is greatest. The cage-like structure of ice gives it less density as compared to the liquid phase. At $\text{3}\text{.98}°\text{C}$ , water has a density of about $\text{999}{\text{.9 kg/m}}^3$ . The density of water at room temperature is nearly equal to $\text{998}{\text{.2 kg/m}}^3$ . At boiling point, the density of water is the least and is about $\text{958}{\text{.4 kg/m}}^3$ .