Which describes a characteristic of water that is responsible for frost wedging?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Water evaporates as it is heated.
Water evaporates as it is heated.

Water contracts as it freezes.
Water contracts as it freezes.

Water condenses as it is heated.
Water condenses as it is heated.

Water expands as it freezes.

Answer 1

The characteristic of water that is responsible for frost wedging is:

Water expands as it freezes.

This expansion occurs when water freezes into ice, causing it to occupy more volume than in its liquid state. This expansion can create pressure in cracks and crevices in rocks, leading to the process of frost wedging, where rocks are broken apart.