Question

Arctic animals often expand their hunting territory during the winter when the ice cap expands to cover more of the ocean surface. What property of water contributes most to their ability to do so?*

Answer 1

Explanation: During winters, there is decrease in temperature which leads to the freezing of water molecules.

The state change occurs from liquid state to solid state.

In case of water, the inter-molecular forces between the molecules decreases which leads to the increase in volume.

Which in turn leads to the decrease in the density of solid (ice). This increase in density tends to the floating of ice on water.

$Density=\frac{Mass}{Volume}$

Thus, on freezing, the water expands and hence, there will be more space for the arctic animals to hunt in winters.