Question

A sealed glass jar is full of water. When its temperature is decreased to \(0^\circ C\),

• A. The glass jar remains as it is with ice
• B. The glass jar remains as it is with water
• C. Glass jar contains half the amount of ice mixed with water
• D. The glass jar breaks due to the formation of ice

Hint:

Water expands on freezing, so a sealed container filled with water may break when water turns into ice.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question is about the anomalous expansion of water. Unlike most substances, water expands when it freezes into ice. This is because the crystalline structure of ice (hydrogen bonds forming a hexagonal lattice) is less dense and occupies a larger volume than liquid water.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. The problem states that a sealed glass jar is completely full of water. 2. The temperature is decreased to 0$^\circ$C, the freezing point of water. 3. As the water begins to freeze, it turns into ice. 4. Due to the anomalous expansion of water, the volume of the ice formed is greater than the volume of the water it formed from (approximately 9% larger). 5. Since the glass jar is sealed and was already full, there is no extra space to accommodate this increase in volume. 6. The expanding ice will exert a tremendous amount of pressure on the walls of the glass jar. 7. Glass is a brittle material and cannot withstand such high internal pressure. Consequently, the jar will break. Step 3: Analyzing the Options:
- (A) is incorrect because the expansion of ice will not leave the jar intact. - (B) is incorrect because at 0$^\circ$C, the water will start to freeze. - (C) is incorrect because even if only some of the water freezes, the expansion would still likely break the jar. - (D) correctly describes the outcome of water freezing in a confined space. Step 4: Final Answer:
The glass jar breaks due to the formation of ice and its subsequent expansion. Therefore, option (D) is correct.