In article <ILgkc.296086$Pk3.237206@pd7tw1no>, "Shannon Wheeler" > wrote:
>> Clearly when one liter of water is heated from 4 C to 99 C, its volume
>> expands. But that in no way means that a liter is larger at 99 C than at 4
>C,
>> despite what Stephen seems to think -- it means that a liter of water at 4
>C
>> expands to *more* than a liter of water at 99 C.
>
>
>doesn't water take up the most space at 4C (rather than 99C)?

No. Its density is the greatest at just slightly less than 4C, which means
that a given mass of water occupies the *least* volume at that temperature.

In the *liquid* phase, a given mass of water occupies the *greatest* volume at
100C (just before it boils).