Why does 'breaking' not occur in liquids and gases?

In summary, the experiment cannot be done in reality because the glass will not break into two pieces. Tiny shards will bust off, leaving the two edges incompatible. The fresh edges will start to oxidize. There will be air molecules trapped between the two halves as you try to put them back together.
  • #1
Prannu
17
2
I'm not exactly sure whether this qualifies as quantum mechanics, but it has to do with how atoms work: suppose a glass plate falls and breaks (into two pieces, let's say, to keep things simple) on the floor. Is it possible to put it back together so that there is no longer a crack between the two pieces?
Rule: you cannot melt the glass to remake the plate.

I think it is not possible, but I am not sure why. Is it because the atoms at the edge of one piece of the glass no longer have the proper electron configurations to bond with the other piece? Basically, what does it mean to 'break', and why does 'breaking' not occur in liquids and gases?
 
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  • #2
Several reasons.
- In practice, it will not break into two pieces. Tiny shards will bust off, leaving the two edges incompatible.
- If the glass contains any impurities, the fresh edges will start to oxidize.
- Also, there will be air molecules trapped between the two halves as you try to put them back together. Might not seem like a lot, but it only had to prevent the atoms of silicon from joining back together within a molecule's distance.
 
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  • #3
Google for "cold welding vacuum" for an example of the conditions under which solids can be persuaded to fuse together - removal fo contaminants from the surfaces and vacuum to keep air molecules from getting in the way.
 
  • #4
Thank you
 
  • #5
Also try a google search for "Optical contacting". This is about as close to what you describe as it is possible to get. Two very flat, very clean glass surfaces are brought into contact and effectively fuse together. It's used in the manufacture of certain optical components.
 
  • #6
Daz said:
Also try a google search for "Optical contacting". This is about as close to what you describe as it is possible to get. Two very flat, very clean glass surfaces are brought into contact and effectively fuse together. It's used in the manufacture of certain optical components.
I seem to remember that, when bent by a small amount, a glass sheet may open up tiny cracks in the outside surface of the curve and that these will rejoin when the sheet is straightened again. When the bending is repeated, different cracks appear. So the surface has 'healed' after the initial distortion. I guess that foreign atoms getting into a crack could prevent it healing up so the experiment may have to be done in a vacuum.
 

1. Why does 'breaking' not occur in liquids and gases?

The concept of "breaking" refers to the separation of a solid material into two or more pieces due to applied stress or force. In liquids and gases, the particles are not tightly packed together like in solids, which allows them to move and flow freely. This lack of a rigid structure makes it difficult for them to break apart.

2. Can liquids and gases be broken?

While they cannot be broken in the same sense as solids, liquids and gases can still undergo changes or disruptions. For example, liquids can be separated into different layers or mixed with other substances, and gases can be compressed or expanded. However, these changes do not involve the breaking of molecular bonds like in solids.

3. Are there any exceptions to liquids and gases not breaking?

There are some rare cases where liquids and gases can exhibit "breaking" behavior, such as in supersonic flows or strong shock waves. In these situations, the particles experience high levels of stress and can potentially break apart. However, this is not a common occurrence in everyday scenarios.

4. How do liquids and gases maintain their shape without breaking?

Liquids and gases maintain their shape through the forces of cohesion and adhesion. Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same substance, which allows liquids to maintain their volume. Adhesion is the attraction between molecules of different substances, which allows liquids to wet and stick to surfaces. These forces help to keep the particles together and prevent them from breaking apart.

5. Is there a difference between "breaking" and "evaporation" in liquids and gases?

Yes, there is a difference between "breaking" and "evaporation" in liquids and gases. Breaking refers to the separation of a material into pieces, while evaporation is the process of a liquid turning into a gas. In evaporation, the particles of the liquid do not break apart, but rather change phase from liquid to gas due to energy input (such as heat). In contrast, breaking involves the physical separation of particles.

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