Water vapor at approx. 300 degrees Celsius

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of water vapor at approximately 300 degrees Celsius, specifically addressing the conditions under which water can exist as a liquid versus a vapor. Participants explore concepts related to critical temperature and phase transitions, as well as the implications of terminology in scientific contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether it is correct that water cannot be liquidized at around 300 degrees Celsius.
  • Another participant explains that a vapor can be liquidized by applying high pressure, but only if the temperature is below its critical temperature, which for water is 374 degrees Celsius.
  • A participant notes the complexity of scientific terminology, mentioning that a supercritical fluid is neither a liquid nor a gas, highlighting the ambiguity in defining states of matter.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the temperature at which water can remain a liquid, suggesting they would need to consult steam tables for verification.
  • Another participant confirms the critical temperature of water as 374 degrees Celsius and reflects on the surprising nature of this value.
  • It is suggested that the original poster may have misunderstood the concept of the critical point, which leads to the assertion that beyond 374 degrees Celsius, there is no phase transition from vapor to liquid.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the critical temperature of water being 374 degrees Celsius, but there is uncertainty regarding the implications of this temperature and the terminology used to describe states of matter. Multiple viewpoints on the understanding of phase transitions and the original poster's claim remain present.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the original poster's understanding of critical points and phase transitions, as well as the reliance on specific temperature values without detailed context.

fawk3s
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Ive heard that at somewhere around 300 degrees Celsius (cant remember the exact number), you can't liquidise it anymore. Is this fact correct?

Thanks in advance,
fawk3s
 
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You can liquidise a vapour by applying a high enough pressure but only if the vapour is at a temperature lower than its "critical temperature".If the temperature is higher than the critical temperature then applying pressure results not in a liquid but in a compressed vapour.
 
Thats what I thought. Thanks !
 
Dadface said:
results not in a liquid but in a compressed vapour.

This shows up the difficulty with using common terms in science - a supercritical fluid is neither liquid nor gas. (And yet it's both at the same time).

Is a liquid crystal a solid or a liquid? - Same problem.
 
I'd need to check a book of steam tables but I'm pretty sure that water can still be aliquid at a lot more then 300 Deg C
 
Jobrag said:
I'd need to check a book of steam tables but I'm pretty sure that water can still be aliquid at a lot more then 300 Deg C

I just checked and the critical temperature of water is 374Deg C.
 
Ah, yes, the critical point is 374 degrees C. (The OP did say 'about' 300)
It's surprisingly low though.
 
I'm pretty sure what OP heard is a mention of critical point. Sounds like it. Past these 374°C, there is no phase transition from vapor to liquid, and that might come out as "can't liquidise" to someone who didn't quite get the point.
 

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