Question 6.
Explain the following:
What is the role of anomalous behaviour of water in preserving aquatic life in regions of cold climate?
Answer:
The behavior of water between its temperature from 0° C to 4°C is called anomalous behaviour of water.
Role of anomalous behaviour of water in preserving aquatic life:
(i) In winter, as the temperature of the atmosphere goes down due to which the water of the surface also cools down.
(ii) As a result, the temperature of whole water body decreases to 4°C.
(iii) Now, as water on the surface at 4° C cool down further, its volume increases and density also increases.
(iv) On reaching the temperature at 0° C, water transforms into ice.
(v) The process of cooling becomes slow due to the low thermal conductivity of ice (ice bad conductor of heat).
(vi) Thus, a temperature of 4° C is always maintained.
(vii) In normal conditions, the temperature goes on increasing.
(viii) This whole process preserves the aquatic life even in cold regions.
