Question

Aquatic organisms are able to survive when the temperature decreases. These organisms survive even when the surfaces of lakes and ponds are covered with ice. Which property of water best explains how aquatic organisms can survive during freezing temperatures?
A.
Water molecules are attracted to the surface that has a charge
B.Water expands when it freezes, so solid water is less dense than liquid water
C.It takes a large amount of energy to increase the temperature of the water
D.The positive charges of water’s hydrogen atoms are attracted to the negative charge of its oxygen atoms

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Water expands when it freezes, so solid water is less dense than liquid water

Explanation:

The molecules of water expands or increases in volume when it is freezed i.e. at a low temperature. This allows the solid state of water (ice) to be less dense than the liquid state (water). Hence, because ice is less dense than water, IT FLOATS. Therefore, in a water body whose temperature is low, the ice component floats on the surface, with liquid water beneath.

Due to this DENSITY property of ice (low) and water, aquatic organisms like fishes are able to survive and live just fine beneath a water body covered with ice. Note that, oxygen is trapped in the liquid portion of the water body underneath the ice covering.