Question

As water freezes it expands almost ________ percent and is able to mechanically weather rock.

A) 1
B) 75
C) 100
D) 50
E) 10

Answer 1

Water expands by about 9% when it freezes, which allows it to exert significant force on its surroundings, contributing to the mechanical weathering of rock.

Step-by-step explanation:

As water freezes, it expands by about 9%. Therefore, the correct answer to the question 'As water freezes it expands almost ________ percent and is able to mechanically weather rock' is A) 9%. This expansion of water upon freezing is significant because it can exert a great deal of force on the surrounding environment, including rock, as it transitions into ice. This force can cause rock to fracture and split, contributing to the mechanical weathering process that shapes landscapes.