Water and mercury volume change with temperature

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SUMMARY

Frozen water pipes burst due to the expansion of water as it freezes, reaching its maximum volume at 0°C. In contrast, mercury contracts when cooled, meaning a mercury thermometer will not break if temperatures drop below its freezing point of -38.83°C. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the volume-temperature relationship for both water and mercury, highlighting that liquid water occupies less volume than solid ice, while liquid mercury occupies more volume than solid mercury.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the volume-temperature relationship in liquids and solids
  • Knowledge of the freezing points of water (0°C) and mercury (-38.83°C)
  • Basic principles of thermodynamics related to phase changes
  • Familiarity with the properties of water and mercury
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physical properties of water and ice, focusing on density and volume changes
  • Study the thermal expansion and contraction of liquids, particularly mercury
  • Explore the implications of freezing on plumbing systems and preventive measures
  • Investigate the design and functionality of thermometers using different liquids
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics or chemistry, plumbers and HVAC professionals, and anyone interested in the physical properties of materials and their behavior under temperature changes.

spaghetti3451
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Homework Statement



Why do frozen water pipes burst? Would a mercury thermometer break if the temperature went below the freezing temperature of mercury? Why or why not?

Homework Equations



Relation of volume to temperature

The Attempt at a Solution



Water has its minimum volume at 4°C. Therefore, when the temperature drops below 4°C, the volume of the water increases continuously. Therefore, frozen water pipes burst.

Mercury contracts when cooled, so a mercury thermometer would not break if the temperature went below the freezing temperature of mercury.


Are these answers correct?
 
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"Frozen" means "liquid went solid". Compare the volume a given mass of liquid water occupies with that of solid water. Ditto for mercury.
 
But, I did! Did I not?

Liquid water has a smaller volume than solid ice. Therefore, frozen water pipes must burst, right?

On the contrary, liquid mercury has a larger volume than solid mercury. Therefore, a mercury in tube thermometer should not break, right?

:confused:
 
failexam said:
liquid mercury has a larger volume than solid mercury.
That crucial fact was not as clear as it might have been in your original post. Just add that and it looks fine.
 

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