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

    Calculating Liquid Mass in a Vat with Varying Diameter and Depth

    A 1.90 m-diameter vat of liquid is 2.70 m deep. The pressure at the bottom of the vat is 1.30 atm. What is the mass of the liquid in the vat? I found the density of the fluid but now I'm stuck and I really can't get my mind around this even though i know its going to turn out being so...
  2. A

    It takes an input of energy to convert liquid to vapour ,so increse

    it takes an input of energy to convert liquid to vapour ,so increse the entropy if an increase in entropy is natural, why does this not happen naturally with less effort on its own?
  3. D

    Can you measure mineralogy in a liquid slurry?

    Hi I was wondering if anybody knows of an instrument that can measure mineralogy in a liquid/solids slurry stream. I know an XRD can measure mineralogy, but it has to be a dried sample. Also XRF can measure a liquid/solid stream, but it only gives an elemental chemistry analysis, not...
  4. Mk

    Exploring the Wonders of Liquid Nitrogen

    Liquid nitrogen! No, I don't have any, but I WANT SOME. I have no idea how to proceed. How much does it cost, flask included, and where can I get it? Do I have to use all of it right away, or can I store it for more than a few days? What kind of saftey should be taken into consideration besides...
  5. F

    Particle's maximum height in liquid

    I'm not sure if this is the appropriate subforum, but here it goes: Suppose you have a particle, with the mass m, at the bottom of jar which is filled with liquid. The particle is shot upwards, parallel to the gravitational force, with the speed v0. The drag force is proportional to the...
  6. M

    Specific Heat Capacity of solids liquid or Gas, which is largest?

    This questions puzzles me: Which has a larger specific heat capacity (shc) : solid, liquid or gas. We can assume that it is of the same matter. Why? I have checked the numbers. Only water has it on all three states. Liq water has the highest, while that of ice and steam is about the same...
  7. L

    Pressure on Liquids: Where Does the Force Come From?

    When a liquid is put under pressure, it doesn't get compressed very much. So where is the extra force that the liquid molecules push back with, coming from? Is it electron clouds getting squished together and pushing back with electrostatic repulsion - or Pauli exclusion force - or what...
  8. P

    Modeling Object Motion in a Viscous Liquid: mg - kv = m(dv/dt)?

    Hey, I have this homework thing where I have to model an object's motion through a viscous liquid. I'm to assume that the resistive force directed upward is kv. Now, I'm going to take the downward direction as positive and the up as negative.. Should my force equation be mg - kv = m(dv/dt)...
  9. Amith2006

    Interference in Liquid: Fringe Width Change?

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  10. P

    Mixture of saturated liquid and saturated vapor

    In the figure that shows saturated vapor and liquid condition under varying temperature and specific volume (constant temperature), there are 2 lines, 1 is saturated liquid line, the other is saturated vapor line. so the region in between these 2 lines is called the mixture of saturated liquid...
  11. daniel_i_l

    Translucent liquid with the same texture as shampoo?

    How can I cheaply make a translucent liquid with the same texture as shampoo? I though of dissolving lots of suger in water to get a semi-thick liquid. Whats a good way to make the sugerwater stay in a liqid state without crystalizing? Is there an easier way (to make what I want)? Thanks.
  12. S

    Liquid Problem with Bernoulli's Equation

    A water pipe having a 2.6 cm inside diameter carries water into the basement of a house at a speed of 0.90 m/s and a pressure of 240 kPa. If the pipe tapers to 1.6 cm and rises to the second floor 7.5 m above the input point, what are the (a) speed and (b) water pressure at the second floor...
  13. J

    Constant liquid pressure device

    I was wondering if anyone could point me towards a source about making constant head devices. I was wanting to measure and then relate, experimentally, the velocity of a stream to its cross-sectional area. Since this will be done mostly at home using pedestrian tools, I need to find out how I...
  14. A

    Liquid flow (river), viscosity, force, height etc.

    Hi. This is a two part question, I'm pretty sure about the first bit but in the second part my answer seems a bit weird. Not the order of magnitude I was expecting. Just wondering can anyone confirm or deny my suspician? Point me in more correct direction if I am indeed wrong. This isn't for...
  15. J

    Calculate Work & Power of Liquid Water Turbine

    A liquid water turbine receives 2kg/s water at 2000kPa, 20C, and velocity of 15m/s. The exit is at 100kPa, 20C and very low velocity. Find specific work and power produced. From my tables I get hi=85.82 kJ/kg he=84.03 kJ/kg Energy equation reduces to: \begin{array}{l} h_i +...
  16. D

    How many places in the solar system have liquid water?

    How many places in the solar system do think have liquid water in significant quantities(I would consider the quantities on Enceladus to be significant, and the quantities on Mars to be insignificant)? I'd bet there are a half dozen or more moons that have liquid water, but does anyone else...
  17. S

    Liquid condensing out in thermodynamics

    We have the following expression for the temperature of the latent heat of vaporisation: d(L/T)/dT = (Cpv - Cpl)/T + [d(Vv - Vl)/dT] *dP/dT Where Cpv is the heat capacity at constant pressure of the vapour and the liquid respectively, Vv and Vl are the volumes of the vapour and liquid...
  18. Z

    Liquid drop contact angle: THF, mica & graphite

    This is a long shot, but maybe someone will know or can point me in the right direction. I'm looking for an experimental value for the contact angle between tetrahydrofuran (THF) with both mica and graphite substrates. I've done numerous googling and also did a search on the web of knowledge...
  19. T

    Thermodynamics: gas for stirling engine + liquid with high density

    Hi, *** for the ones that don't like to read much (:smile:): the basic point is that I need a gas that gives as much pressure as possible with a temperature increase and a constant volume and that is easy to get my hands on; and a liquid with a high density (like mercury or something) that...
  20. H

    Does Glass Actually Flow Over Time?

    didn't know where to post it so I put it hereo:) do you guys agree with the following? http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/glass
  21. H

    Searching Techniques to Put Germs in Liquid Drops

    Hello everybody, I need to search for techniques for the next problem: I have a germ/cell and I want to put it inside a liquid drop. I need to build such an electronic tool, so the "customer" will take his different liquids, and automaticly, the "machine" will put a germ inside each liquid...
  22. H

    Searching for Techniques to Put a Germ/Cell in Liquid Drops

    Hello everybody, I need to search for techniques for the next problem: I have a germ/cell and I want to put it inside a liquid drop. I need to build such an electronic tool, so the "customer" will take his different liquids, and automaticly, the "machine" will put a germ inside each liquid...
  23. M

    Transfer of Heat: mass of liquid helium that boils?

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  24. S

    A liquid floating upon another

    Hi all Just a quick (relatively simple) question.. As high school physics/chem tought, a liquid of lower density will float uopn that of a higher density. This makes sense in most situations because of the pressure gradient in the higher-density liquid pushing the other fluid upwards. But...
  25. R

    Liquid Sodium: Room Temp & High Pressure

    Liquid sodium can exist at room temperature at EXTREMELY high pressures. Why?
  26. G

    Liquid Nitrogen vs. Liquid Helium

    What do you think is better? Lets start a debate!
  27. G

    Liquid nitrogen temperature superconductors

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  28. S

    Exploring the Analogy between Liquid Crystals & Cosmic Strings

    http://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0509091 A liquid crystal analogue of the cosmic string "We consider the propagation of light in a anisotropic medium with a topological line defect in the realm of geometrical optics. It is shown that the effective geometry perceived by light propagating in such...
  29. T

    Does anyone have any liquid fuel rocket plans?

    Hey I'm starting to build liquid fueled rockets.(built 1 but injecter didnt work properly :eek: ) Does anyone have any plans to build a rocket or at least some tips. :smile:
  30. S

    Protein samples still in liquid form at -20C, Storage condition for proteins

    Dear folks, Please help me out. I store my purified protein samples at -20C and they are still at the liquid form (a few are frozen) at this temperature! :cry: I used Trizol kit to purify them and dissolved them in a solution of 9M urea, 4% CHAPS and 30mM Tris/HCl pH 8.5 buffer. They had...
  31. H

    What does the liquid from the lungs look like?

    so, i was just in the shower after my mum cut my hair, and i went for my towel cos i had shampoo on my face, then all of a sudden with my eye's shut i bend over and cough out, quite easily, what i later discovered to be snot, greenish mucus, and a small amount of blood in the centre... now...
  32. O

    What is the best way to find a liquid oxygen storage tank?

    Can you give me some advice on this: ------------ Are you in a position to supply us the below item: Please let me know the price as CFR Bandarabbas Iran. Subject : vertical liquid oxygen tank (lox tank) capacity: 18000_22000 lit working pressure : 17 bar Daily...
  33. I

    Calculating Bulk Modulus of a Liquid

    I am doing a project on water hammer. I need the formula for the bulk modulus of a liquid not just for water. Can anyone provide me with the formula?
  34. H

    Liquid drop model and langevin equation

    Hi ! i'm looking for some paper about the liquid drop model, and why we can use the langevin equation (initialy designed for brownian motion) to describe fission process (here brownian particle is collective variable such as quadripolar momenta) thank you
  35. S

    Exploring Forces of Liquid in a Centrifuge

    Hey, As part of an investigation, I constructed a basic centrifuge consisting of a fast rotating beaker filled with liquid. I have observed that an increased angular velocity forces the liquid out of the centre and further up the sides of the centrifuge, as expected. However, I am having...
  36. I

    Understanding Glass: Is it a Solid or Liquid?

    Please help me in this. Are gel, cream and paste liquids? I'm getting the answer for primary school students. So, please help me explaining in simple way. Thank you! Igid
  37. N

    The surface tension of a liquid at its boiling point is what?

    the surface tension of a liqud at its boiling point is what?
  38. P

    Oentane is a liquid with a vapor pressure of 512 Torr at 25C

    Oentane is a liquid with a vapor pressure of 512 Torr at 25C; at the same temperature, the vapor pressure of hexane is only 151 Torr. what composition must the liquid phase have if the gas hase composition is to have equal amounts of pentane and hexane? Do I use p = i M R T to solve for the...
  39. E

    Calculated the time it takes for a liquid to freeze ?

    Calculated the time it takes for a liquid to freeze ?? hello fellow Mathematicians. I was just wanting to know the equation used to calculate how long it takes for something to freeze. I am assuming this equation has a constant 0c (32f) which is the freezing point. It would also be nice if...
  40. L

    Unlocking the Mysteries of Liquid Nitrogen

    So i have been doing thsi question for about a week now and it's about liquid nitrogen. Here it is. Liquid nitrogen is used in many low-temperature experiments. It is widely available, and cheaper than gasoline! How much heat must be removed from room temperature (20C) nitrogen gas to...
  41. G

    What are some fun experiments with liquid nitrogen?

    Hello, I'm with a group called RINO (would give you a webiste, but don't have one yet). In Holland we go to schools to do shows with liquid nitrogen. At the moment we're trying to improve our show, so we're thinking about new experiments. I was hoping some of you might have a great suggestion...
  42. M

    Perfect Ratio for Solidifying Water: Liquid Nitro vs Water | Simplified Equation

    What ratio of liquid nitrogen to water must there be for total solidification of water (@ RTP)? If there is no static ratio a simplified equation would be nice... 10x!
  43. ShawnD

    Volume of liquid in a partially filled sphere

    On tuesday I tried to estimate how much liquid I had in a round bottom flask, but I realized I had no idea how to get a number. The liquid was about 2cm high, the entire flask is 6cm tall, and the volume of the flask when full is 100mL. How would I calculate/estimate the amount of liquid in the...
  44. C

    What Liquid is Safe for Long-Term Skin Immersion Without Causing Irritation?

    This is sort of an unusual question (and I'm not even sure this is the right forum for it) but here goes. I'm doing a project where theoretically a human would be kept immersed in a liquid for long periods of time and I'm wondering what liquid would be the best for this. The most obvious...
  45. B

    What is the final temp. of each liquid?

    You place 2 beakers at 25 degrees celsius on a hot plate. Beaker A = 100.00 mL liquid Mercury Beaker B = 100.00 mL liquid Water Each absorb 15 KJ of heat. What is the final temp. of each liquid?
  46. C

    How to Calculate the Volume of Hydrogen Gas from Liquid State?

    If 277 L of LIQUID hydrogen has a mass of 19.7 kg, what volume will this amount of hydrogen occupy as a GAS at 25 degrees celcius and 1 atm? Is there some kind of equation that I can use to make this problem easier? THANKS!
  47. E

    A man takes a bottle with a white liquid in it brain teaser

    A man takes a bottle with a white liquid in it. He puts a little bit of it on his forearm. He does it every day. What does he do?
  48. F

    Liquid Flow Problem: Bernoulli's Principle & Volume Flow Rate

    "A liquid is flowing through a horizontal pipe whose radius is 0.0200 m. The pipe bends straight upward through a height of 10.0m and joins another horizontal pipe whose radius is 0.0400 m. What volume flow rate will keep the pressures in the two horizontal pipes the same?" Alright, I was...
  49. L

    Heat Absorption by a Person's Hand from Steam to Liquid

    O.K. HOw much heat is absorbed by a person's hand if steam at 100degree C is first converted to liquid water at 100 degree C and then cooled to normal body temperture? I'm not sure of the formula for this one.
  50. M

    Measuring Liquid pH: Is a Soil Meter Accurate?

    Does anyone know if it is possible use a soil pH meter to measure the pH of liquids (ie. not soil)? Or a better way to phrase it, is there any diference between a soil pH meter and a normal pH meter meant to be used on liquids that would cause inacuracies or other problems if one was...
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