Why can't water be compressed?

Answer 1

Because there is not a lot of vacant space between the molecules of water. Oh, it is not just water either. Most liquids resist compression.

Answer 2

The atomic spacing of water molecules is just about the same as in the solid state although without the long range order.
All molecules within a solid or liquid have an equilibrium spacing where attractive and repulsive electrostatic forces are in balance. As the material is compressed the molecules are moved closer together and this increases the electrostatic repulsive forces between them. This tries to restore the equilibrium spacing that existed prior to compression.
The greater the compressing force the greater is the restoring electrostatic force and so the volume change is negligible.

Answer 3

Easy answer - because it ca be compressed, but the forces involved are beyond the power of say you car engine, which is why it does pop if it gets lots of water in it.

Compression involves reducing the space between atoms (or molecules in this case) The electrons surrounding a nucleus are all negatively charge and hence reply repel the electrons surrounding the other nuclei, it is this force you need to overcome to compress something. In gases there is a bit gap between the atoms so it's easy to compress, in liquids the gap is much smaller so it's harder, and in solids the gap is small still and so it's even harder still, but you can technically compress something until its volume is zero and its density is infinite IE a black hole.

Answer 4

Funny how many answers confuse compression with pressurization. Water from a tap or a pressure washer is under pressure, sure, but it is not compressed - ie forced to take up less space. The reason why it can't be has been given by several posters.

Answer 5

Water CAN be compressed, just not very much relative to another fluid such as a gas. It has to do with the average kinetic energy of the molecules when in thermal equilibrium with the environment. The higher the average kinetic energy of each molecule, the more it vibrates. The more vibration, the further apart the molecules, The space between molecules determine the state, solid, liquid or gas. It also has to do with transferring electrons, and like charges repelling each other. A gas is very easily compress since the molecules are widely spaced and easily pushed closer together then they would be if left to themselves. A liquid is more closely ordered and has much less space between molecules, but still, there is rom to compress, it just takes much more force than air to squeeze out space between molecules. Even a solid will compress a fraction before it fractures under pressure. Funny thing about water, when you heat it, it boils, but if inside a rigid container, the pressure rises, as in a boiler, but it will stop boiling until you add more heat to start it boiling again. If you keep adding heat and letting the pressure rise, at a certain pressure and temperature which escapes me at the moment, the "critical point" the liquid/gas interface is undefined. Below that critical point, there is a clear separation of liquid and vapor.

Answer 6

Can A Liquid Be Compressed

Answer 7

I have a hunch that you are asking this question with an internal combustable engine in mind? I've heard this brought up alot when it comes to auto engines, when they get water inside their engine cylinders, it wont compress like the fuel/air mixture did before, and the engine stops cycling. So yes, water can be compressed, but it definantly doesn't like it as much as other substances.

Just thought I'd add that in case you were thinking along those lines.

Answer 8

Water can be compressed or pressurized. This is seen with a pressure washer. Water has many interesting qualities. Read the article below for some great information.

Answer 9

Who said water can't be compressed? Liquids generally can't be compressed as much as gasses but if you have access to enough pressure you can pretty much do whatever you please.
The molecules in a liquid start to get in the way of each other eventually but if you start with a big push then you can work your way up to reducing the space required.

Answer 10

Its a basic law of physical dynamics. You cannot displace matter, most things that can be compressed have a certain amount of air in them, which can be pushed out making it more dense. Water is as dense as it can be because it is a liquid.

It can be pressurized like the other people answered, but shocks on a car use the fact that water can be displaced but not compressed to make your car ride smoother. Hope that helps, you can look up thermodynamics of liquids to get a better understanding of how it all works.