+10 votes
in Physics by
edited by

Your answer

Your name to display (optional):
Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications.
+5 votes
by

The Earth's gain in mass does not directly affect the behavior of water or cause it to sink. The reason water does not sink is due to its unique properties and the forces acting upon it.

Water is a compound consisting of hydrogen and oxygen atoms (H2O) and has a lower density in its liquid state compared to its solid state (ice). This characteristic is known as the density anomaly of water. As water cools below 4 degrees Celsius (39.2 degrees Fahrenheit), it begins to contract and becomes denser. However, as it continues to cool further and approaches the freezing point, water expands, becoming less dense and causing ice to float.

The floating of ice is crucial for the preservation of aquatic life in colder regions, as it provides insulation and prevents entire bodies of water from freezing solid, which would be detrimental to the organisms living within.

The Earth's gain in mass primarily occurs through processes such as meteoritic infall, accumulation of cosmic dust, and the accretion of material from space. However, these additions to the Earth's mass do not exert a direct influence on the density or behavior of water. The overall mass of the Earth has a negligible effect on the density and buoyancy of water.

In summary, water does not sink despite the Earth's gain in mass because of its unique properties, including the density anomaly. The gain in Earth's mass does not affect the buoyancy of water.

Welcome to Physicsgurus Q&A, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of the community.
...