Answered

When water [tex](H_2O)[/tex] freezes into ice, some of its properties change. What stays the same?

A. Identity of the [tex]H_2O[/tex]
B. Energy of the [tex]H_2O[/tex]
C. Arrangement of the [tex]H_2O[/tex]



Answer :

When water (H₂O) freezes into ice, several aspects of the water molecules are affected, but let’s break down which specific aspects change and which stay the same.

1. Identity of the H₂O:
- The identity of the H₂O molecules refers to their molecular composition. Each water molecule is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, and this composition does not change whether it is in the liquid state as water or the solid state as ice. Therefore, the identity of the H₂O stays the same when water freezes into ice.

2. Energy of the H₂O:
- Energy changes during the process of freezing. In the liquid state, water molecules have higher kinetic energy, which allows them to move freely past each other. As water cools down and freezes, the molecules lose energy and move less freely, leading to a more fixed arrangement in the solid state. Therefore, the energy of the H₂O changes when water freezes into ice.

3. Arrangement of the H₂O:
- The arrangement of H₂O molecules changes significantly during the freezing process. In liquid water, molecules are randomly arranged and can move freely. When water freezes, the molecules arrange themselves into a crystalline structure, which is more orderly and fixed. Therefore, the arrangement of the H₂O molecules changes when water freezes into ice.

To summarize:
- The identity of the H₂O stays the same (True).
- The energy of the H₂O changes (True).
- The arrangement of the H₂O changes (True).

Thus, the properties that change are the energy and arrangement of the H₂O molecules, while the property that stays the same is the identity of the H₂O molecules.

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