At 1 atm and a temperature of 0 celcius which phase of #H_2O# can exist? Why?

1 Answer
Ryuu
Feb 22, 2017

Not enough information to define state - can be solid, liquid or gas.

Explanation:

Indefinite answer, because...

The main point is the temperature. At #0^oC#, pure water freezes. However, the water has to go through the phase of changing states. I'm not given enough information to determine which state (but if I had to guess, I'd say ice - first thing that came to mind).

The change from a liquid to water state has relatively low pressure within the object. It's also possible to relate pressure to the amount of energy needed for water to go through the shift in state, because of specific heat capacity -> more energy means more pressure within the object BUT we also have to consider atmospheric pressure, not necessarily atomic pressure.

In addition, water and ice exerts an equilibrium vapour pressure. Thus, it can also exist as a gas at these lower temperatures.

Hope this helps a little :)

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