Compress water: that's the reason
If you want to compress water or other liquids, you will not have it easy. This practical tip explains why.
Physical properties of water
Water consists of two hydrogen and one oxygen atom (short: H2O). Water mostly occurs in the liquid state, but depending on the state of matter it can become gaseous to vapor or solid to ice.
- Water has its greatest density at three to four degrees Celsius. After that, it cannot be compressed any further.
- On the contrary, it even expands again when it solidifies. You can observe this by placing a plastic bottle filled with water in the freezer.
- The gases oxygen and hydrogen can be strongly compressed so that they can be used for diving, for example, or could be used as fuel for cars in the future.
- Water, on the other hand, can hardly be compressed. But that also has its advantages.
hydraulic
Since water cannot be highly compressed and would eventually find a way to get out of its "prison", this property can be used to lift heavy objects or to press bulky objects.
- The hydraulic system uses the low compressibility of water in aircraft with flaps and in cars with brakes or convertible roofs.
- For your safety, brakes must be vented regularly, otherwise they will lose your braking effect.
- Unfortunately, compressed water cannot save you from dragging the water boxes or saving space.
In the next practical tip we will explain how to distill water yourself.