When an empty inverted bottle is tilted while submerged in water, air bubbles escape and water enters. This phenomenon demonstrates that:

The correct option is

Air occupies space and prevents water entry until displaced.

Explanation

The fundamental property of matter regarding the gaseous state (air). Air is a component of the abiotic environment that is invisible but possesses mass and occupies volume. This experiment is a classic demonstration used to prove that "empty" space is actually filled with air.

Statement-wise Analysis

• Water is less dense than air. is Incorrect: While it is factually true that water is denser than air, this density difference explains why air bubbles rise, not why water was prevented from entering the bottle initially. The primary phenomenon demonstrated here is volume occupation, not density comparison.
• Air occupies space and prevents water entry until displaced. is Correct: The bottle, though appearing empty, is completely filled with air. Since air is matter, it occupies space. When the bottle is inverted and submerged vertically, the water cannot enter because the air has no way to escape. Tilting the bottle allows the air to escape in the form of bubbles (displacement), thereby creating space for the water to fill the bottle.
• Air dissolves instantly upon contact with water. is Incorrect: Air does not dissolve instantly upon contact with water. While gases do dissolve in water (essential for aquatic life), the process is not instantaneous or voluminous enough to account for the rapid entry of water observed in this scenario.
• Atmospheric pressure is negligible underwater. is Incorrect: Atmospheric pressure and hydrostatic pressure are significant underwater. The pressure actually increases with depth; it is not negligible.

Key Takeaway

Air occupies space. Even when a container looks empty, it is filled with air, which prevents other substances (like water) from entering unless the air is displaced.