Edu Simulation

Physics Lab

Anomalous Expansion
of Water

Realistic Beaker & Clear Contents

Water Temperature

20.0°C

💧 Liquid Water

Set Temperature

−15°C 0°C 4°C 50°C 100°C

Stable — no heat change

Physical Properties

Density

0.99821

g/cm³

Volume

1.00180

rel. to 4°C

Expansion

+0.18%

from 4°C

State

Liquid

phase

Liquid water at 20°C. Density decreasing slightly as temperature rises — standard thermal expansion.

Effects of Anomalous Expansion

🧊Ice Floats on Water

Freezing expands water ~9%. Ice density = 0.917 g/cm³, less than liquid water. So ice floats, insulating lakes.

🐟Aquatic Life Survives Winter

Densest water (4°C) sinks to lake bottom. Ice forms on top. Fish survive in warm layer below ice all winter.

⭐Maximum Density at 4°C

Water is densest at exactly 4°C. Both cooling below AND heating above cause expansion — unique to water!

💥Burst Water Pipes in Winter

Freezing water expands with ~25,000 psi force, bursting metal and plastic pipes in cold climates.

🗿Weathering of Rocks

Water in rock cracks freezes, expands, splits the rock. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles shape mountains into soil.

♨️Boiling & Steam Power

At 100°C water becomes steam, expanding ~1700×. Latent heat = 2260 J/g. Powers steam engines & turbines.

Liquid Water

ρ = 0.99821 g/cm³

🧊 Ice layer — density 0.917 g/cm³ — floats!

❄️ Anomalous zone: cooling EXPANDS water (0–4°C)

⭐ 4°C — water at MAXIMUM density

🫧 Nucleate boiling — bubbles rise from the bottom

♨️ Steam — water converts to gas phase

Move the slider to change temperature and observe the effects.