What causes water to increase in density?

Question

heat and evaporation

freezing and river dilution

decreased temperature and increased salinity

deeper depths and higher winds

Answer 1

Water density increases primarily due to decreased temperature and increased salinity.

• Decreased Temperature: As water cools, its molecules move closer together, which increases density. Cold water is denser than warm water.

• Increased Salinity: When the concentration of salt in water increases, the mass of the water increases without a significant increase in volume, resulting in higher density.

The other options provided (heat and evaporation, freezing and river dilution, deeper depths and higher winds) do not directly cause an increase in water density under normal conditions.