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wikoh
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In a Time article about global warming they say warm water expands, but water expands when it's frozen - is it both ways 'round?
Yes and yes. And extremely fortunate for life as we know it, as HallsofIvy alludes to.wikoh said:I've read that water is quite an odd substance in that it expands when it freezes. Is this true, and is this thing to expand at two (or more) far-apart levels of temperature also odd?
Yes and yes. And extremely fortunate for life as we know it, as HallsofIvy alludes to.wikoh said:I've read that water is quite an odd substance in that it expands when it freezes. Is this true, and is this thing to expand at two (or more) far-apart levels of temperature also odd?
scott_alexsk said:Are there any other similar substances to water with similar properities?
-scott
Warm water expansion refers to the increase in volume of water when it is heated. This is due to the fact that water molecules become more energetic and spread out, taking up more space.
Warm water expands because of the thermal expansion property of water. As water molecules gain energy from heat, they move faster and take up more space, causing the water to expand in volume.
Warm water expansion contributes to the rise in sea levels, as the increased volume of water takes up more space in the ocean. This is one of the main factors contributing to sea level rise, along with the melting of land-based ice sheets and glaciers.
Coastal communities are especially vulnerable to the effects of warm water expansion and sea level rise. As sea levels continue to rise, these areas may experience more frequent and severe flooding, erosion, and damage to infrastructure.
Climate change is a major driver of warm water expansion, as rising global temperatures lead to warmer oceans. As the Earth's temperature continues to increase, the rate of warm water expansion will also accelerate, contributing to further sea level rise.