Extreme Pressure and Organic Molecules

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of extreme pressure on organic molecules, particularly in the context of animal tissues and their potential to reach melting points. Participants explore the implications of pressure and temperature in biological materials and the transformations that may occur under such conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that an increase in pressure can lead to an increase in temperature in gases and questions if this applies to organic molecules like human tissue.
  • Another participant emphasizes that animal tissue is primarily composed of water and suggests that extreme pressure could lead to the bursting of cells, leaving behind solid remnants that resemble charcoal.
  • A follow-up post reiterates the concern about the fate of solid molecules under extreme pressure, seeking clarity on the transformations that may occur.
  • One participant proposes that extreme pressure could result in the formation of very impure diamonds from organic materials.
  • Another participant clarifies that it is compression that raises temperature, not pressure itself, and questions whether the focus should be on the effects of high temperatures, high pressures, or both, along with the specific conditions involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effects of pressure and temperature on organic molecules, with no consensus reached on the specific outcomes or mechanisms involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully defined the specific pressures or temperatures being discussed, nor have they clarified the environmental conditions that may influence the outcomes.

Adamand
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Hello all,

I understand that an increase in pressure yeilds an increase in temperature (in gases). However, I was wondering if extreme pressures can raise the temperature of organic molecules (such as the tissues in a human body) to melting point.

Thanks!
 
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Animal tissue is 70% water. If you squeeze it, that's what you'll get. Cells are little water-balloons that can burst. One-way sponges.

The dried stuff that would be left is practically charcoal, it's solid.

And then depending on what pressure exactly you have in mind, and which temperature cycles and specific environmental conditions, charcoal can eventually become any kind of "fossil fuel", graphite or diamond.
 
Last edited:
Dr Lots-o'watts said:
Animal tissue is 70% water. If you squeeze it, that's what you'll get. Cells are little water-balloon that can burst. One-way sponges.

The dried stuff that would be left is practically charcoal, it's solid.

I guess my real question is, what would happen to these "solid" molecules under extreme pressure?
 
You'll get very impure diamonds.
 
Compression raises the temperature, not the pressure itself. A pressurized gas canister has the same temperature as anything around it, obviously.

So what's the actual question: What the effect of high temperatures is, or what the effect of high pressures is? (or possibly both) And in what conditions?
 

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