MadSci Network: Physics |
Jay, It sounds like you have done some research into your question. If you have, you might have come across the ideal gas law: PV=nRT, where P=pressure, V=volume, n=moles (concentration of the gas), R=gas constant, and T=Temperature. In your example, we can get rid of the constants in the equation which will be V, n, and R. We can get rid of these terms because the volume, amount of water and the gas constant never change so they play no role in the experiment. This leaves the equation as P=T. And you are correct as you increse the pressure infinitely, the temperature will increase proportionally. It might hard to imagine, but as long as you increase the pressure, not only of water, but of any substance, the temperature will increase accordingly if the volume is held constant. If you want to learn more about this, you can look up or search for the "Gay-Lussac Gas Law" which is P1/T1=P2/T2. Your last statement about water expanding infinitely is true if you hold the pressure constant and allow the volume to vary with temperature increases. This is called "Charles Gas Law", which is V1/T1=V2/T2. And you may want to even look for "Boyles Gas Law" which is P1/V1=P2/V2. In this case if we held the temperature of the gas constant and increase the pressure the volume will decrease proportionally. Hope this helps or at leasts gets you going in the right direction. Carlin Gregory Texas Gas Transmission, LLC
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