- #31
Homer Simpson
- 184
- 1
If you immerse a block of chicken wings in a hot oil bath with Oprah around it will vanish.
Can You See a Dense Patch of Gas?
- Context: Undergrad
- Thread starter pivoxa15
- Start date
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- Tags
- Gas
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the visibility of gases, particularly in dense forms, and whether they can be seen under various conditions. Participants explore the properties of different gases, their colors, and the effects of pressure and temperature on their states. The conversation touches on theoretical and conceptual aspects of gas visibility, scattering, and the nature of atmospheric gases.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants suggest that gases are generally invisible, but question whether a sufficiently dense patch of gas could be seen.
- Others argue that the visibility of gases depends on their color, with some gases being colorless and others having distinct colors.
- Rayleigh scattering is mentioned as a phenomenon that affects the color of the sky, leading to discussions about the visibility of gases in the atmosphere.
- Participants discuss the conditions under which gases can be compressed into liquids, raising questions about whether this affects their visibility.
- Some gases, like ozone, are noted to have colors, while others, such as hydrogen and nitrogen, are colorless.
- There is uncertainty about whether the blue appearance of the sky is due to the gases themselves or other factors, such as water vapor.
- Visible vapors and aerosols are discussed, with some participants questioning whether they should be classified as gases.
- The role of molecular size and energy state transitions in determining color is raised, with some participants speculating on the underlying physics.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views on the visibility of gases, with no consensus on whether gases can be seen in their gaseous state or if they must be in a liquid form to be visible. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific conditions under which gases can be observed.
Contextual Notes
Participants highlight that the state of a substance (gas or liquid) is dependent on pressure and temperature, which complicates the discussion about visibility. There are also references to the definitions of gases and vapors, which may affect the understanding of visibility.
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