Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 12: Problem 96

A flask containing water is connected to a powerful vacuum pump. When the pump is turned on, the water begins to boil. After a few minutes, the same water begins to freeze. Eventually, the ice disappears. Explain what happens at each step.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The reduction in pressure by the vacuum pump causes the water to boil. As the water continues to evaporate, it cools down until it begins to freeze. Once the water is frozen, it eventually disappears due to sublimation, where the ice turns directly into gas under the low pressure.

Step by step solution

01

Reduced Pressure and Boiling Point

When the vacuum pump is turned on and begins to reduce the pressure, the water starts to boil. This is because reducing the pressure lowers the boiling point of water, so it starts to boil at room temperature.
02

Freezing

After some time, as the water continues to evaporate, it cools down. If the heat loss from evaporation surpasses the heat absorbed from the surroundings, the water's temperature can decrease to the point where it starts to freeze.
03

Sublimation

With continued low pressure, the solid water (ice) can then undergo sublimation. Sublimation is the process by which solid substances skip the liquid phase and transfer directly to the gaseous phase. This is why the ice disappears.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

What is the coordination number of each sphere in (a) a simple cubic lattice, (b) a body-centered cubic lattice, and (c) a face- centered cubic lattice? Assume the spheres to be of equal size.

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

Use any one of the phase changes to explain what is meant by dynamic equilibrium.

Vapor pressure measurements at several different temperatures are shown here for mercury. Determine graphically the molar heat of vaporization for mercury. \(\begin{array}{cccccc}t\left({ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right) & 200 & 250 & 300 & 320 & 340 \\ P(\mathrm{mmHg}) & 17.3 & 74.4 & 246.8 & 376.3 & 557.9\end{array}\)

Define critical temperature. What is the significance of critical temperature in the liquefaction of gases?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Nuclear Chemistry

Read Explanation

Chemical Reactions

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Chemical Analysis

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free