Which property of water changes when it transforms from ice to liquid?

Which property of water changes when it transforms from ice to liquid?

• A. Volume expands
• B. Temperature decreases
• C. Molecular arrangement
• D. Density decreases

Answer: (C)

When water transforms from ice to liquid, the property that changes is the molecular arrangement. In its solid form, ice has a crystalline structure where the molecules are arranged in a fixed, orderly pattern. This arrangement causes ice to occupy more space, resulting in its lower density compared to liquid water. When ice melts, the molecular structure becomes less ordered as the molecules begin to move more freely, transitioning into a liquid state. This change in molecular arrangement is crucial because it directly affects the physical properties of water, including its density. Understanding the transformation of ice to liquid underlines the concept of water’s unique properties, such as its density behavior, which is atypical for most substances. In this case, the focus is on how the arrangement and interaction of water molecules fundamentally change during the phase transition.

When water transforms from ice to liquid, the property that changes is the molecular arrangement. In its solid form, ice has a crystalline structure where the molecules are arranged in a fixed, orderly pattern. This arrangement causes ice to occupy more space, resulting in its lower density compared to liquid water. When ice melts, the molecular structure becomes less ordered as the molecules begin to move more freely, transitioning into a liquid state. This change in molecular arrangement is crucial because it directly affects the physical properties of water, including its density.

Understanding the transformation of ice to liquid underlines the concept of water’s unique properties, such as its density behavior, which is atypical for most substances. In this case, the focus is on how the arrangement and interaction of water molecules fundamentally change during the phase transition.