How does increasing temperature generally affect the density of liquid water?

• A. Density first increases, then decreases with increasing temperature.
• B. Density decreases as temperature increases.
• C. Density remains constant regardless of temperature.
• D. Density increases as temperature increases.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that density (\rho) is defined as mass (m) divided by volume (V), expressed as \(\rho = \frac{m}{V}\).
2. Recognize that when temperature increases, the kinetic energy of water molecules increases, causing them to move more vigorously and generally occupy more space, which increases the volume.
3. Since the mass of the water remains constant but the volume increases with temperature, the density, which is mass divided by volume, will decrease.
4. Note that this behavior is typical for most liquids, including water, except near 4°C where water exhibits anomalous behavior, but generally, density decreases as temperature increases.
5. Therefore, the correct conceptual understanding is that increasing temperature causes the density of liquid water to decrease.