Solids compress more than liquids under pressure due to their atomic structure and density. While solids have closely packed atoms, they can still undergo compression, albeit minimally. Liquids, often treated as incompressible in basic physics, do compress under pressure, but the change in density is negligible compared to solids. For example, water is denser than ice, illustrating that not all solids are less dense than liquids.
PREREQUISITESStudents of physics, materials scientists, and anyone interested in the properties of matter under pressure will benefit from this discussion.
curious bishal said:Atoms in solid are more closedly packed as compared to liquid and gases. But we exert more force, some solid gets compressed but liquid doesn't, why? If atoms are loosely packed in liquid than solids, liquids should get compressed...
Every solid and every liquid compresses with pressure, except for unobtainium of course. As it takes a good deal of pressure to result in even a very small change in density, treating solids and liquids as incompressible is a good first order approximation.adjacent said:Can you give an example of a solid which gets compressed?
D H said:Every solid and every liquid compresses with pressure, except for unobtainium of course. As it takes a good deal of pressure to result in even a very small change in density, treating solids and liquids as incompressible is a good first order approximation.