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What happens to the density of a substance when it is heated?
  • a)
    It always decreases
  • b)
    It remains unchanged
  • c)
    It always increases
  • d)
    It may increase or decrease depending on the substance
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Mainak Basu answered
Understanding Density and Temperature
When a substance is heated, its density can change based on its physical properties and phase transitions. Here's a breakdown of how heating affects density:
What is Density?
- Density is defined as mass per unit volume (Density = Mass/Volume).
- It measures how tightly packed the particles of a substance are.
Effects of Heating on Density
- When most substances are heated, they expand.
- Expansion usually leads to an increase in volume, which can result in decreased density if mass remains constant.
Behavior of Different Substances
- Solids and Liquids:
- For most solids and liquids, heating causes expansion, leading to a decrease in density.
- Gases:
- Gases tend to expand significantly when heated, resulting in a more noticeable decrease in density.
- Exceptions:
- Water is a notable exception; it expands upon freezing, causing ice (solid water) to be less dense than liquid water. This is why ice floats.
Conclusion
- The statement that heating a substance may either increase or decrease its density is accurate.
- The outcome depends on the substance's characteristics and whether it undergoes a phase change during heating.
In summary, while heating generally reduces density for most materials, some exceptions exist, highlighting the complexity of material behavior under temperature changes.

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