Phases of Acetone and Diphenyl at room temp

  • Thread starter Thread starter biochem850
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Acetone Phases
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phase states of acetone and diphenyl at room temperature (20°C). Acetone, with a melting point of -95°C and a boiling point of 56°C, exists as a liquid at 20°C, while diphenyl, which has a melting point of 70°C and a boiling point of 255°C, remains solid. Participants clarify that the phase of a substance is determined by its temperature relative to its melting and boiling points, confirming that acetone is indeed liquid at room temperature.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of phase transitions (melting and boiling points)
  • Knowledge of physical properties of substances
  • Familiarity with temperature scales (Celsius)
  • Basic chemistry concepts regarding states of matter
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physical properties of other common solvents, such as ethanol and methanol.
  • Learn about the phase diagrams of substances to visualize phase changes.
  • Explore the effects of pressure on boiling and melting points.
  • Investigate the molecular structure of acetone and diphenyl to understand their phase behavior.
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and professionals in chemical engineering or materials science who seek to deepen their understanding of phase transitions and the physical properties of substances.

biochem850
Messages
51
Reaction score
0
I was reviewing a chart of Physical properties of pure substances (20 °C)

Acetone has a melting point of -95°C and boiling point of 56°C so you'd assume it's solid (but obvioulsy it's liquid). In addition, Diphenyl has a melting point of 70°C and boiling point of 255°C so you'd assume it's liquid (but it's solid).

What characteristics am I overlooking?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Acetone melts at -95 degrees. Room temperature is 20 degrees. Why would this be a solid?
 
20°C is is greater than -95°C (melting ) so acetone would not have melted and is less than 56°C (boiling) so acetone would not have evaporated; I'm assuming the normal phase of acetone is liquid and you don't merely assume because something hasn't melted or boiled that it is solid? Is my presumption correct?

I honestly don't see what I'm missing.
 
20°C is more than -95°C, so the acetone will melt. See, water has melting point of 0°C, but you "drink" water, don't you? According to your argument, we must be eating ice.

Acetone was melted long ago (-95°C is not the temperature to come across easily), so we see it in its melted, liquid form. Just heat it past its boiling point, it will convert into vapour form.
 
biochem850 said:
20°C is is greater than -95°C (melting ) so acetone would not have melted and is less than 56°C (boiling) so acetone would not have evaporated; I'm assuming the normal phase of acetone is liquid and you don't merely assume because something hasn't melted or boiled that it is solid? Is my presumption correct?

I honestly don't see what I'm missing.

melting is the transition from solid to liquid.

-95 is when solid acetone transforms to liquid acetone. you then raise the temperature to 20 degrees, which is below 56.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
9K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K