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Multiple Choice
At what temperature does pure water reach its maximum density under normal atmospheric pressure?
A
100 °C
B
25 °C
C
4 °C
D
0 °C
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the problem asks for the temperature at which pure water reaches its maximum density under normal atmospheric pressure, which is a unique physical property of water.
Recall that water behaves anomalously compared to most substances: it expands upon freezing and has a maximum density at a temperature above its freezing point.
Recognize that the maximum density of water occurs at approximately 4 °C, which is why ice floats on liquid water and why aquatic life can survive under ice in winter.
Note that temperatures like 0 °C correspond to the freezing point of water, and 100 °C corresponds to the boiling point, neither of which is where maximum density occurs.
Therefore, the key concept is that water's maximum density is at 4 °C under normal atmospheric pressure, which is a fundamental property important in environmental and physical chemistry.