MadSci Network: Chemistry |
As with most liquids, oil and water cannot be compressed. If you are familiar with hydraulic controls, oil is used in lines to transfer pressure through hoses and cylinders. Think of a man using a backhoe which is equipped with hydraulic controls. When he tells the bucket to move, he expects it to respond immediately. If oil were compressible, there would be a delay because the oil would have to compress first before the bucket would move.
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