which describes a characteristic of water that is responsible for frost wedging

Answer 1

The characteristic of water responsible for frost wedging is its ability to expand when it freezes. Water molecules form hydrogen bonds with each other, causing them to arrange themselves in a hexagonal lattice structure when they freeze. As a result, water expands by about 9% in volume when it transitions from its liquid state to its solid state as ice. This expansion creates pressure within cracks or porous materials, such as rocks, soil, or pavement, leading to the mechanical breakdown of these materials over time. This process, known as frost wedging, is particularly effective in cold climates with frequent freeze-thaw cycles.