How Much Pressure Does a Gallon of Freezing Water Exert

In summary: Basically, at normal temperatures, pressure along the liquid-solid coexistence line is independent of volume. It depends only upon the temperature at which you establish the liquid-solid equilibrium. The liquid-solid coexistence begins at the triple point of water, 273.16 K and x Pa, proceeds to lower temperatures and higher pressures, 273.15 K and 0.1 MPa (ordinary freezing pt.), and goes wandering off through a fascinating phase diagram. At near normal conditions, you can figure something like 10 MPa/K for water in confined vessels --- once you cool to a point at which the pressure equals the burst or deformation limit for the vessel, the water freezes and the vessel bursts or deforms to accommodate the larger volume of the
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How many pounds of pressure are exerted by a gallon of freezing water?
 
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How much would you like it to be? Pressure along the liquid-solid coexistence line is independent of volume; it depends only upon the temperature at which you establish the liquid-solid equilibrium. The liquid-solid coexistence begins at the triple point of water, 273.16 K and x Pa, proceeds to lower temperatures and higher pressures, 273.15 K and 0.1 MPa (ordinary freezing pt.), and goes wandering off through a fascinating phase diagram. At near normal conditions, you can figure something like 10 MPa/K for water in confined vessels --- once you cool to a point at which the pressure equals the burst or deformation limit for the vessel, the water freezes and the vessel bursts or deforms to accommodate the larger volume of the solid.
 
  • #3
Originally posted by Bystander
How much would you like it to be? Pressure along the liquid-solid coexistence line is independent of volume; it depends only upon the temperature at which you establish the liquid-solid equilibrium. The liquid-solid coexistence begins at the triple point of water, 273.16 K and x Pa, proceeds to lower temperatures and higher pressures, 273.15 K and 0.1 MPa (ordinary freezing pt.), and goes wandering off through a fascinating phase diagram. At near normal conditions, you can figure something like 10 MPa/K for water in confined vessels --- once you cool to a point at which the pressure equals the burst or deformation limit for the vessel, the water freezes and the vessel bursts or deforms to accommodate the larger volume of the solid.

nice fact
just checking:
10 MPa/K is about 1000 tons per square meter per degree of temperature.
So I imagine I have a cylinder of cold water,
the bore of the cylinder is 1 square meter,
a 1000 ton weight rests on a piston in this cylinder
(so the pressure exerted on the water is about 10 MPa
above ambient)

If I wish to lift the weight by freezing the water in the cylinder
then according to your formula it will not freeze at 0 celsius
but has to be cooled to -1 celsius.

If I load the piston with 2000 tons then to get the water to
freeze I must chill it down to -2 celsius.
 
  • #4
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FAQ: How Much Pressure Does a Gallon of Freezing Water Exert

What is the definition of pressure?

Pressure is defined as the force applied per unit area. In other words, it is the amount of force exerted on a surface divided by the area over which the force is distributed.

How does the pressure of a gallon of freezing water compare to that of a gallon of room temperature water?

The pressure of a gallon of freezing water is greater than that of a gallon of room temperature water. This is because as water freezes, it expands and takes up more space, resulting in a higher pressure being applied to the container.

What factors can affect the pressure of a gallon of freezing water?

The pressure of a gallon of freezing water can be affected by factors such as the temperature at which it is freezing, the type of container it is in, and the altitude at which it is being stored.

How is pressure measured?

Pressure is typically measured in units of force per unit area, such as pounds per square inch (psi) or pascals (Pa). It can be measured using instruments such as pressure gauges, manometers, or barometers.

Why is it important to understand the pressure of freezing water?

Understanding the pressure of freezing water is important in various fields of science and engineering, such as in the design of containers and structures that will be exposed to freezing temperatures. It can also help in predicting the behavior of frozen water in different environments, such as in glaciers and ice sheets.

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