Exploring the Compression of Water in an Indestructible Box: A Dive into High-Pressure Science

Understanding the behavior of water under extreme conditions such as high pressure is a fascinating area of scientific exploration. This article delves into the theoretical implications of a thought experiment: what would happen if an indestructible box 1 meter in size was continuously pumped full of water?

The Basics of Water Compressibility

Water, as it turns out, is not quite as incompressible as one might initially think. The compressibility of water is described by its bulk modulus. Even if a container is indestructible, applying sufficient pressure will gradually compress the water within.

High Pressure Science and Unique Water Phases

If you were to press water into a compact form, its volume would decrease. For instance, it’s possible that 1 gallon of water at 1 bar (14.7 psi) could be compressed to the volume of a quart of ice at 1 megabar. This pressure difference would induce a phase change, turning the water into ice without needing to change its temperature, which poses interesting implications.

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Compression and Structural Implications

When water is compressed, it enters different phases. For instance, it can transition to ice VII, a dense form of ice discovered in 1961. Cheap Panda briefly notes the resulting structural implications, noting that these phases can be stabilized with pressures high enough to squeeze out the hydrogen bonds between water molecules.

The Limitations and Practical Considerations

While water can be compressed, it will not freeze instantly under typical room temperature conditions. The compressibility of water means that as you apply pressure, the volume of the water will decrease. However, compressing it to the point where it freezes requires pressures that are extremely close to the actual phase boundaries, which are not easily achieved in everyday scenarios.

Furthermore, the phase diagram of water (figure 1) clearly shows the conditions under which water can exist as ice, steam, or liquid. Each phase change occurs at specific pressure-temperature combinations, and once these limits are reached, further pressure will not significantly change the state of the water.

The Theoretical Extremes and Infinite Pressures

In theory, if you could continuously pump water into a box of indefinite compression, the pressure would eventually reach a maximum. Hydraulic presses, while powerful, do have finite pressure limits. Once these limits are reached, no additional compression is possible.

Under extreme theoretical conditions, as pressure approaches the unknown limits, water would transition through different phases. In the case of ice VII, further compression might lead to even denser forms of ice.

However, these scenarios stretch the laws of physics. Speculating about an experiment that could achieve infinite pressure is meaningless, as such conditions do not exist in our current understanding of physics and technology.

Practical Considerations

If you consider a thought experiment where the box and pump are both indestructible, the water would simply overflow, as the box cannot contain the excess volume permanently. Under realistic conditions, the box would reach a maximum pressure, and the water would compress until it reaches a stable state or overflows.

Conclusion

The behavior of water under extreme pressures is a testament to the complexity and beauty of the physical world. While an indestructible box and pump are mere thought experiments, understanding the principles involved provides insight into the fascinating world of high-pressure science.

References:

The New Alchemists Baltzar von Platen, inventor of the gas-powered fridge Terry Hall, the first to synthesize diamonds

Figure 1: Phase diagram of water showing the different phases and their transition points.