Water pipes and frigid weather

  • Context: High School 
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    Pipes Water Weather
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the phenomenon of water pipes potentially breaking during extended periods of frigid weather, exploring the physical properties of water and ice, particularly focusing on density and expansion upon freezing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why water pipes might break if left full during cold weather.
  • Another participant provides the density values of water and ice, suggesting a conclusion can be drawn from these figures.
  • A different participant posits that the greater density of water compared to ice is a relevant factor.
  • Another participant mentions the expansion of water as a contributing factor to potential pipe damage.
  • A further contribution includes a claim that the volume of ice is 109.6% larger than the original volume of water, indicating that this expansion in a confined space like a pipe could lead to splitting or breaking.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple viewpoints regarding the causes of pipe breakage in cold weather, with no consensus reached on a singular explanation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the behavior of water and ice under freezing conditions, and the implications of density and volume changes in confined spaces, but does not resolve these complexities.

bjoyful
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Why is there the possibility of a water pipe breaking if the pipe is left full of water during extended frigid weather?
 
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Density = Mass/volume

Density water = 1g/mL
Ice = 0.92 g/mL

you can draw your own conclusion
 
Because the density of water is greater than ice?
 
And doesn't it have something to do with water expanding?
 
I provided you with the equation to prove this...

If a mass of water freezes the ice volume is 109.6% bigger

In a confined environment like a pipe this expansion will still occur and possibly :

split the pipe, break joints etc

<< post edited slightly by berkeman >>
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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