How can water co-exist at three phases (solid, liquid and gas)?
Asked by: Kenny Low
Answer
Water exists in three distinct phases at something called the triple point. Zero degrees
celsius is defined by the triple point of water which is 273.16K at 611.2 Pa.
At this temperature water is in the process of changing from a solid state into the liquid
phase or visa versa. Molecules in the liquid phase can loose a bit of energy and solidify
whilst solid water (ice) can gain some energy and melt. This can be seen in melting ice
where the solid ice exists for some time while the exposed surface melts.
Molecules in a liquid don't all have the same energy. The energies of the molecules can
vary from a finite minimum, which would mark the transition back to a solid phases, up to
an infinite energy (although the probability of this occuring is infinitely small). The
average energy of the molecules gives us the temperature of the liquid. Statistical
thermodynamics can map out the energy distribution of the water molecules. At a certain
energy molecules will have enough energy to evaporate, even if the water temperature is 0
degrees C.
Because of these two effects it is possible for the water to exist as solid, liquid and gas
at the same time.
Answered by: Edward Rayne, Physics Undergraduate Student, Cambridge UK
'In a way science is a key to the gates of heaven, and the same key opens the gates of hell, and we do not have any instructions as to which is which gate.
Shall we throw away the key and never have a way to enter the gates of heaven? Or shall we struggle with the problem of which is the best way to use the key?'