PHYSICAClass 11 Physics simulations · Thermal Properties of Matter
Anomalous expansion of water
Water is densest at 4 °C. Cool a pond and see why lakes freeze from the top down.
What to notice
Below 4 °C colder water is less dense and stays on top, so ice forms at the surface and insulates the water below.
Key relation
ρ_max at ≈ 3.98 °C
Try this
Lower the air temperature below 0 °C and watch the layers.
What you can change
- Air temperature: -10 to 20 °C
- Probe water temperature: 0 to 20 °C
More in Thermal Properties of Matter
- Bimetallic strip
- Mixing hot and cold water
- Thermal expansion
- Steady heat conduction
- Heating curve: ice to steam
- Newton’s law of cooling
- Heating with specific heat
- Net thermal radiation
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