Why does water have a maximum density of 4^oC?

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Solution

Water has an unusual physical property i.e. anomalous expansion of water.
When water gets cooled, it first contracts in volume, as do other liquids, but below 4^oC, it starts expanding and continues to do so till the temperature reaches 0^oC, the point at which water freezes into ice.
At 4^oC, water has its maximum density and minimum volume.

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Similar questions

Why does ice have a lower density than water? Explain.

How many water molecules are present in a drop of water at 4^oC(assume 20 drops per mL and density=1g/mL)

4^{o}

Assertion (A) : Water shows anomalous behavior from $4^{o}$ C to $0^{o}$ C.

Reason (R) :Density of water decreases as it is cooled down below $4^{o}$ C.

At which of these temperatures and in which physical state does water have the maximum density ?

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