Why Does a Sealed Water Bottle Crack in the Freezer?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of a sealed water bottle cracking when placed in a freezer. Participants are exploring the underlying reasons related to the physical properties of water and ice, particularly focusing on the expansion of water as it freezes.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the common explanation that water expands upon freezing, particularly in relation to the temperature at which this occurs and the implications for the volume of water in a sealed container.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the density differences between water and ice. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity of the question, and some participants are reflecting on their understanding of the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of a V vs. T graph for water, which suggests that the original poster is considering the temperature-dependent behavior of water and ice. The discussion also touches on the common misconception regarding the density of ice compared to liquid water.

Gamma
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This is not a homework question, but a conceptual question that I am trying to understand.

We all have experienced/heard that if you put a completely full water bottle with the cap on in the freezer, the bottle cracks as the water freezers. The explanation is that the water expand as it freezes. But if you look at the V vs. T graph of water, it start to expand only below 4 Celsius. So the bottle has enough space to hold the expanded volume. Since, in real life, the bottle actually cracks, what am I missing?

Thank you! - Gamma.
 
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got it. thanks! feel stupid.
 
It's a good question. For most substances, the solid state is more dense than the liquid state. Water is one of the exceptions.
 

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