What is Liquid: Definition and 1000 Discussions

A liquid is a nearly incompressible fluid that conforms to the shape of its container but retains a (nearly) constant volume independent of pressure. As such, it is one of the four fundamental states of matter (the others being solid, gas, and plasma), and is the only state with a definite volume but no fixed shape. A liquid is made up of tiny vibrating particles of matter, such as atoms, held together by intermolecular bonds. Like a gas, a liquid is able to flow and take the shape of a container. Most liquids resist compression, although others can be compressed. Unlike a gas, a liquid does not disperse to fill every space of a container, and maintains a fairly constant density. A distinctive property of the liquid state is surface tension, leading to wetting phenomena. Water is, by far, the most common liquid on Earth.
The density of a liquid is usually close to that of a solid, and much higher than in a gas. Therefore, liquid and solid are both termed condensed matter. On the other hand, as liquids and gases share the ability to flow, they are both called fluids. Although liquid water is abundant on Earth, this state of matter is actually the least common in the known universe, because liquids require a relatively narrow temperature/pressure range to exist. Most known matter in the universe is in gaseous form (with traces of detectable solid matter) as interstellar clouds or in plasma from within stars.

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  1. J

    Optical absorption liquid vs solid

    I'm looking for information about absorption of light per unit (atom, molecule, stoichiometric) in a liquid vs solid. For instance, imagine a unit cube filled with a saturated solution of, say, potassium permanganate, and shine a laser beam through it from bottom to top and measure the...
  2. F

    Does the Rankine Cycle really need a liquid phase?

    A question about Thermodynamics, if someone would help with that... I understand a steam engine that follows the Rankine cycle has basically 4 steps: (a) heating in a boiler; (b) expansion on a piston or turbine; (c) condensation; (d) pump back into the boiler. For many years I have been...
  3. S

    Heating a sealed glass bottle of liquid from 20'C to 90'C

    Hi I have people heating liquids in sealed glass Schott bottles in our lab if they cannot find any metal containers in our lab. These are 1 liter bottles they are approximately filling to 500ml with very aqueous solutions. The bottles have not actually broken one, but Schott advises not to...
  4. M

    To determine the mass of a liquid using an electronic balance?

    how do you determine the mass of a liquid using an electronic balance ?:S Anyone knows how ?
  5. C

    Can liquid ozone substitute for liquid oxygen?

    I was just wondering that if ozone is a strong[er] oxidizing agent [that oxygen alone] and its boiling point is higher than liquid oxygen [more practical?], then can it be used for applications where liquid oxygen is usually used?
  6. V

    A vessel filled with two liquid how to determine boant force?

    A vessel filled with two liquid how to determine boyant force? A vessel contains oil of density(800kgm-3) over mercury (density 13600kgm-3) A homogeneous Sphere is floats with half of its volume immersed in mercury and other half in oil. What is density of the material of the sphere? How...
  7. S

    How much liquid nitrogen is needed to maintain constant evaporation?

    How much liquid nitrogen? Hi All, A liquid nitrogen evaporation question for you :) A large metal container is kept at constant temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. This container has a long 10inch diameter tube opening connected to its top. Through a second opening liquid nitrogen...
  8. H

    What is the Mean Free Path of water in it's liquid state?

    What is the Mean Free Path of water in it's liquid state? Just wondering how far an electron could travel in water before a collision?
  9. K

    Propane: Liquid to Gas - Volume Change & Diffuse Velocity

    H!, I was wondering, if 1 ml of liquid propane (120 psi @ 70°F) is released into the atmosphere assume 14.696 psi (constant temperature), what will be the change in volume of what used to be 1 ml of liquid propane when changed to gas? From what i heard, the ratio for most gases expanded from...
  10. F

    Liquid flow in pipeline branching

    As we know, when thinking Bernoulli´s equation in one horizontal pipeline, it is p + 0.5 * density * v^2 = Constant. But when thinking a branching of this pipe, then Bernoullis principle for one branch is p1+0.5*ro* v1^2 = C and p1+0.5*ro*v1^2 = C. We think that the two branches are the same...
  11. D

    Heat and temperature change in liquid

    Homework Statement Three portions of the same liquid are mixed in a container that prevents the exchange of heat with the environment. Portion A has a mass m and a temperature of 94.0 °C, portion B also has a mass m but a temperature of 78.0 °C, and portion C has a mass mC and a temperature...
  12. R

    Ex of chaos->order circular patterns in liquid chemical reaction

    Does anyone know the experiment where distinct circular patterns appear to emerge in a liquid chemical reaction? This experiment was covered in my thermodynamics class due to its relevance of order emerging from chaos. All I remember about the experiment is that it was not believed at first for...
  13. P

    Time for liquid ejecting from a hole in tank to reach ground

    Hi all, I was trying to find the time required for liquid ejecting from a hole in a tank to reach ground level. The equation given in one of the books is as follows: t = √(2h/g) or sqrt of (2h/g). where h stands for the height of hole in tank shell from the ground level. This...
  14. D

    How stirring a liquid affects temperature measurements.

    Homework Statement "Some people say stirring a hot liquid with a thermometer gives a better measurement and some say it yields a worse measurement. Explain with physics how one is actually better" Homework Equations None that I know of. The Attempt at a Solution I know that...
  15. D

    Pressure in a liquid without gravity

    Say there was a container filled with liquid floating in space. What would the pressure of the liquid be? Also would it be affected by the temperature of the liquid? I would assume so since faster moving particles would hit the walls of the container with more force. The reason I'm asking is...
  16. B

    Pressure of Liquid in Slanted Container at Depth

    what would the pressure of liquid at a depth be in a container which is slanted?
  17. H

    Can a Liquid Survive in a Vacuum Without Vaporizing?

    can a liquid exist in vacuum? Wouldn't it vaporize to gaseous form?
  18. C

    Transfer of of force and pressure in a liquid.

    I have the following question/problem of understanding: I am thinking that the only way force or pressure can transfer in a liquid is by water molecules pushing other water molecules, pushing other water molecules etc. If I put a certain pressure in a closed tank to a certain number of water...
  19. J

    Entropy of liquid water and water vapor

    Homework Statement 1- Use the thermodynamic table to establish an equation giving the molar entropy of liquid water as a function of temperature. Do the same for water vapor. 2- Use these equations to calculate the entropy of vaporization and the enthalpy of vaporization. 3- From the...
  20. A

    Thermodynamics question. In Dewar flask liquid nitrogen.

    Homework Statement The problem is that we need to calculate, how much time it takes for nitrogen to evaporate. Given data: dewar flask is in a room, where is T= 293K temperature; In such flask m=0,2 kg of Hydrogen would evaporate in t= 3600s. Also there is given boiling point temperatures for...
  21. M

    Chiral nematic liquid crystals - describing light diffraction

    So my book has an equation describing the wavelengths of light that are diffracted by a chiral nematic liquid crystal in terms of the refractive index (n), the pitch of the helix (p), and the angle (θ) with respect to the surface. The equation is this - λ = np√((1-cos2θ)/n2) If this isn't...
  22. O

    Which elements/compounds can be liquid on Venus?

    I understand that, given Earth's distance from the Sun and it's atmospheric pressure, it is possible for liquid water to flow and to rain down on Earth's surface. I also understand that, given Titan's distance from the Sun and it's atmospheric pressure, it is possible for liquid methane to flow...
  23. DaveC426913

    Medical Liquid gases used by hospitals

    On the way into work, I pass through "Hospital Alley". I saw a collection of Praxair tanks with radiating fins that were covered in ice. If you put fins on something that's cold, it will warm up faster. I was trying to figure out why they would have a system that was designed to warm up the...
  24. P

    Calculating Max Work from Reversible Cooling of Liquid

    Homework Statement One mole of a liquid with a constant molar heat capacity of 132 j/mol K is initially at a temp of 80 C. The heat capacity is independent of tempearture. Calculate the maximum work that could have been done onthe surroundings while cooling the liquid reversibly. The...
  25. P

    Calculating Maximum Work from Cooling Liquid Reversibly

    Homework Statement One mole of a liquid with a constant molar heat capacity of 132 j/mol K is initially at a temp of 80 C. The heat capacity is independent of tempearture. Calculate the maximum work that could have been done onthe surroundings while cooling the liquid reversibly. The...
  26. P

    Evaporation Rate of Liquid Nitrogen

    Hello everyone! I am trying to design a magnetic testing apparatus that needs to remain at -196K for 20 minutes. There is not exactly a straight foreword equation to get a calculation for the evaporation rate of liquid nitrogen. The apparatus looks like this, and I have highlighted the area...
  27. B

    Cheap liquid with Sp.Gravity betn. 2.8 to 6.5

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  28. K

    Periodic heating of a glass of liquid

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  29. H

    Why Do Glass Plates with Water Not Separate Under Weight but Slide Easily?

    1. I took two glass plates with a thin film of water trapped in it. One of plates had hook in it. Weights were hung in it. I found that these plates didn't separate until weights of about 2-3 kg was applied. 2.But if slided, it moved easily. I can explain observation no. 2. It is because the...
  30. J

    Internal energy when stirring a liquid.

    Homework Statement A liquid is irregularly stirred in a well-insulated container and thereby undergoes a rise in temperature. Regard the liquid as the system. (a) Has heat been transferred? How can you tell? (b) Has work been done? How can you tell? Why is it important that the stirring is...
  31. Darth Frodo

    Finding the Relative Density of a Floating Sphere in Liquid

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  32. S

    Using the sun to heat a liquid

    Homework Statement Is it possible to use the heat of the sun to heat a liquid (arbitrary liquid) to a temperature that is hotter than the sun, say 5 times hotter? Homework Equations Concepts in thermal equilibrium The Attempt at a Solution My answer is no since you can't get more...
  33. A

    Is there really any such thing as an incompressible liquid?

    Homework Statement Given- Pressure increases with depth. Homework Equations We know that pressure under a depth h is given by pgh. Where p=density of liquid, g= acceleration due to gravity. The Attempt at a Solution Let us take an example. There is an ocean of a liquid which is...
  34. U

    Understanding Liquid Sprays: Formation and Resources

    Hi, what is Liquid Sprays how it is formed Do u have any PDFs or textbooks related to this
  35. B

    Oscillating mass in a liquid, SHO

    Homework Statement A body of uniform cross-sectional area A and mass density \rho floats in a liquid of density \rho_0 (where \rho < \rho_0), and at equilibrium displaces a volume V. Making use of Archimedes principle (that the buoyancy force actign on a partially submerged body is equal to...
  36. D

    Stability of fast neutron reactors with liquid metal coolant.

    Is my understanding correct that the short term stability of fast neutron liquid metal cooled reactors is based primarily on the thermal expansion of the core, while the Doppler coefficient is far less significant factor, as the Doppler coefficient primarily affects the low energy neutrons? (The...
  37. M

    What causes current to curve like a liquid around an insulator?

    Hey everybody! Let's say we have an infinite metal plate, and we apply voltage between two points, thus creating a potential. On this plate, we take a cutter and create a finite gap (filled with air), somewhere between the electrodes that apply the voltage. Simulations in ANSYS show that...
  38. K

    Energy requirements for heating a liquid under different pressures

    Hello, I am interested to know how pressure affects how much energy is needed to heat up a liquid, if at all. For example, does it require less energy to heat up water at sealevel compared to the energy needed to do the same at the bottom of the sea? Cheers, klillas
  39. Q

    Liquid Drop Model: Why is Mass of Nucleus a Minus Away?

    the atomic nucleus mass is given by but why is it a minus away of binding energy / c2 = mass of the empty parts of the nucleus? shouldn't it be a plus? mass of nucleus = proton mass + neutron mass + mass of empty parts of the nucleus?
  40. P

    Bernoulli's Equation and liquid density

    1. The density of the liquid flowing through the horizontal pipe in the drawing is 1200 kg/m3. The speed of the fluid at point A is 7.5 m/s while at point B it is 11 m/s. What is the difference in pressure, PB – PA, between points B and A? 2. Bernoulli's Equation P1 + 1/2 pv1^2 + pgy1 = P2 + 1/2...
  41. N

    How To Create Micropump Using Miniature Motor (Cannot contact liquid)

    Hi I am having a little trouble designing a micropump out of a mini dc motor-it needs to be able to extract small amounts of liquid (approximately 50 microliters) through a small tube (diameter 0.2 cm or 2 mm) without having the liquid pass through it. Is there any way I can use the motor to...
  42. M

    Calculating Pressure Change in Liquid After Adding Weight

    This started to bother me today. In the first picture, there's a cup wheres a certain amount of water in it. A ball made of aluminium hasnt been dropped in the cup yet. In the second picture, the ball has been dropped in. The ball has not sinked, a string is holding it. Now please tell...
  43. G

    Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor

    New to the forum. Currently working on a Masters degree in Nuclear Engineering. Has anyone ever heard of the Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor (LFTR)? It looks like a pretty neet idea. I have been watching some videos by a guy named Kirk Sorensen who is a big proponent for this technology...
  44. A

    Question about Critical Temperature and Interface between Liquid and vapour

    While Studying 'surface tension' I came across a statement that 'At critical Temperature the interface between liquid and its vapour disappears' without any explanation or logic. Can Anyone please tell me why such phenomenon is observed at critical temperature ? Thanks in Advance.
  45. P

    Phase transitions between solid and liquid. Critical point CP

    Look at a simple single - component system. And PT diagram for this system. Suppose that supstance we looking at has three phases solid, liquid and gas. In that case we have critical point between liquid and gas phase, but not between solid and liquid phase. Why? Why solid - liquid coexistence...
  46. Femme_physics

    Confusion about liquid having more pressure at the bottom

    I know that a liquid has more pressure at its bottom part than upper part. Does it mean molecularly than the molecules are more condensed and numerous at the bottom? Also, I watched this clip: This video clip says in 00:50 that "when a liquid is enclosed in a space, and a pressure...
  47. I

    Small Liquid Rocket Engines for Sale | Glow Fuel Propellant

    Hello, I'm in the process of building a small liquid rocket engine that uses glow fuel as propellant. Can anyone direct me to a company that sells small liquid rocket engines? Thank you.
  48. B

    What is the best pump for high temperature liquid transfer in home beer brewing?

    I have recently gotten heavily into home beer brewing with some people. To improve on the cooling of the wort (boiled beer before fermentation), I want to pump the boiling liquid through a long copper coil. This coil will be inside a cooler filled with ice and the cooled wort will come out on...
  49. E

    What Liquid Is Best for a Faraday Generator Using a Circulating Magnetic Fluid?

    Homework Statement I want to run a magnetic liquid past a coil to product a current. In a vertical tube I want to inject an air bubble to push the liquid upwards. Of.course the air escapes the top and the liquid re-cycles. - Like a variant of Faraday's Generator with moving liquid magnet...
  50. L

    Liquid propane equilibration between tanks.

    If I have two equal size tanks (150 gallon for example) one with 40% liquid propane the other with a minimal amount of propane gas, when the tanks are connected would the liquid propane equilibrate, yielding 20% in each tank or would just the gas pressure equilibrate between the head space of...
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