A limestone cave system is discovered beneath a region with heavy rainfall and slightly acidic groundwater. Which property of water most directly contributes to the development of the cave?

Rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide and becomes slightly acidic. Because water is polar, it can dissolve carbonate minerals such as calcite in limestone; over time, this dissolving enlarges cracks into caves. Freezing and expanding can break rocks, but it does not most directly explain the formation of limestone caves.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.