Explain in thermodynamic terms why the melting temperature of ice decreases as pressure increases.

Solutions

Expert Solution

This phenomenon is also called regelation and is used in ice skating. When the skaters skate on ice, the increased pressure due to their weight causes ice to melt and allow them to move smoothly. When this pressure is removed, the water is not formed.

This phenomena is explained by Clausius Clapeyron equation which is as follows,

dP/dT = ∆H/T∆V

where P is pressure,

T temperature,

V volume

and ∆H the change in enthalpy over the phase transition. The key to this is ∆V, which for the water ice transition the water has the lesser volume. If you think about this, or put it into the equation, you will see that raising the pressure on the ice permits the lower volume phase to form (as both change in pressure and transition of ice to water volume are inversly proportional to each other). This equation is essentially a combination of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, so we would be pleased to know that the answer to the why question is just simple thermodynamics working again.

queen_honey_blossom answered 1 year ago

Next > < Previous

Related Solutions

Explain why the partial pressure of oxygen decreases and carbon dioxide increases from their values in...

Explain why the partial pressure of oxygen decreases and carbon dioxide increases from their values in the atmosphere to air within the alveoli.

For liquids, the viscosity decreases as the temperature increases. For gases, the viscosity increases as the...

For liquids, the viscosity decreases as the temperature increases. For gases, the viscosity increases as the temperature increases. Your objective is to provide an explanation for these trends. You may do internet research, but your response must be in your own words and references provided. Your response must be typed and grammatically correct.

When external pressure decreases which occurs? 1) boiling point decreases 2) boiling point increases 3) temperature...

When external pressure decreases which occurs? 1) boiling point decreases 2) boiling point increases 3) temperature increases 4) liquid condense 5) none of these

Explain why the solubility of sodium sulfate in water decreases with increasing temperature.

Express partial molar temperature and partial molar pressure in terms of temperature and pressure of the...

Express partial molar temperature and partial molar pressure in terms of temperature and pressure of the mixture. Explain your result

(a) Explain briefly what is meant by atmospheric pressure, and why it decreases with altitude. (b)...

(a) Explain briefly what is meant by atmospheric pressure, and why it decreases with altitude. (b) Explain the role of the Earth’s magnetosphere in protecting the atmosphere from solar wind, and in creating the auroras. (c) Why is the sky blue? Would you expect to see blue skies on other planets?

Thermodynamic question Derive relation between saturated vapor pressure and temperature. and apply the relation to the...

Thermodynamic question Derive relation between saturated vapor pressure and temperature. and apply the relation to the case of water.

As temperature increases does a compounds vapor pressure change? Does its boiling point change? Explain

Explain why A) The pressure drops in a horizontally flowing fluid as the velocity increases. B)...

Explain why A) The pressure drops in a horizontally flowing fluid as the velocity increases. B) Heat’s effect on entropy is inversely proportional to the temperature at which the heat enters or leaves. C) One could never reach absolute zero.

1. Explain if the concentration of the base increases, decreases, is not affected or cannot be...

1. Explain if the concentration of the base increases, decreases, is not affected or cannot be calculated, for the following situations: a) the concentration of the HCl solution was less than the actual value b) when titrating the HCl sample, the tip of the burette contained air bubbles c) an HCl sample greater than 10.0mL was measured by mistake d) no indicator was added e) the container where the HCl was poured was contaminated with acid

Subjects