Question

What happens when water’s salinity increases?

Mass decreases.
Freezing point decreases.
Buoyancy of objects decreases.
The amount of dissolved minerals decreases.

Answer 1

Only statement 2 is correct: freezing point decreases.

Brief explanations:
- Mass decreases — false. Adding salt increases the mass (and density) of the water.
- Freezing point decreases — true. Dissolved salt causes freezing-point depression, so saltier water freezes at a lower temperature.
- Buoyancy of objects decreases — false. Salter water is denser, so buoyant force increases (objects float more easily).
- The amount of dissolved minerals decreases — false. Higher salinity means more dissolved salts/minerals, not less.