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Chapter 12: Problem 21

Explain why liquids, unlike gases, are virtually incompressible

Short Answer

Expert verified
Liquids, unlike gases, are virtually incompressible because their particles are already very close, leaving minimal room for further compression under external pressure.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Particle Structure in Liquids and Gases

Liquids and gases both have particles which are constantly in motion. However, the particles in a gas are much more spaced out than those in a liquid. This is because gas particles have higher kinetic energy that allows them to move around rapidly, reducing the influence of intermolecular forces and so the particles in a gas are more spread out. On the other hand, particles in a liquid are closer together because they have lower kinetic energy and thus, intermolecular forces have a much greater effect.
02

Definition of Compressibility

Compressibility refers to the ability of something to reduce in size or volume when external pressure is applied. Given enough pressure, the distances between particles in gases can be significantly reduced.
03

Why are Liquids Virtually Incompressible?

Because particles in a liquid are already very close together, there's minimal room for further compression. When pressure is applied, these particles don’t have much space to move closer together. Hence, liquids are virtually incompressible.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Which member of each of these pairs of substances would you expect to have a higher boiling point: (a) \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) or \(\mathrm{N}_{2},\) (b) \(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\) or \(\mathrm{CO}_{2},\) (c) HF or HI?

Define these terms: crystalline solid, lattice point, unit cell, coordination number.

Use water and mercury as examples to explain adhesion and cohesion.

The vapor pressure of a liquid in a closed container depends on which of these: (a) the volume above the liquid, (b) the amount of liquid present, (c) temperature?

How is the rate of evaporation of a liquid affected by (a) temperature, (b) the surface area of liquid exposed to air, (c) intermolecular forces?
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