Is it possible to have only liquid water present in a container at \(0.00^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) ? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Yes, it is possible to have only liquid water present in a container at \(0.00^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). This is because \(0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) is the freezing point of water, at which it can exist in both solid and liquid states. The state of water will depend on further conditions, such as the presence or absence of impurities and the applied pressure.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding State of Matter

State of matter of a substance is determined by temperature and pressure. At a particular pressure and temperature, a substance can be in liquid, solid or gaseous state. For water, this is summarized in a phase diagram.
02

Consulting the Phase Diagram of Water

In normal atmospheric pressure, water freezes or solidifies at \(0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). This means it changes from liquid to solid state at this temperature.
03

Determination of State

Although water freezes at \(0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), this doesn't mean it instantaneously turns into ice at this temperature. The freezing point of water is the maximum temperature at which it can exist as a solid. However, at this point, water can also exist as a liquid. Therefore, it is possible to have liquid water at \(0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) .

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

State of Matter
Matter around us exists primarily in three states – solid, liquid, and gas. Each state has unique characteristics based on the arrangement and energy of its particles. In solids, particles are tightly packed in a fixed shape, while in liquids, they are close but can flow around each other, allowing liquids to conform to the shape of their container. Gaseous particles are far apart and move freely, expanding to fill the container.

Changing conditions such as temperature and pressure can cause matter to transition from one state to another in processes like melting, freezing, boiling, and condensing. For example, water – a common substance we interact with daily – can be found as ice, liquid water, or steam at different temperatures and pressures.
Freezing Point of Water
The freezing point of water is a specific temperature at which water transitions from a liquid to a solid state. At a standard atmospheric pressure, this occurs at precisely 0°C (32°F). However, the behavior of water around this point can vary under different conditions and impurities.

It's critical to understand that while the freezing point designates when water should theoretically become solid, the actual transition requires a process called nucleation and subsequently crystal growth – a moment where water molecules align themselves into a crystalline ice structure. Without nucleation, water can be supercooled; that is, it can remain a liquid below its freezing point. This is exactly why it's possible to have liquid water at 0°C under certain circumstances.
Phase Transition
A phase transition is a term used to describe the transformation of matter from one state to another. These transitions occur due to changes in energy (often in the form of heat) or pressure. Common transitions include melting (solid to liquid), freezing (liquid to solid), vaporization (liquid to gas), and condensation (gas to liquid).

Each substance has a unique phase diagram that maps out the temperature and pressure conditions for its different states. For water, the phase diagram shows the distinct areas where it exists as ice, liquid, or vapor. At exactly the freezing point, water doesn't invariably freeze; it's a delicate balance. Under certain conditions like a clean container or lack of motion, water can resist freezing at 0°C and remain a liquid. This phenomenon further emphasizes the complexity of phase transitions beyond a simple temperature threshold.

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