2006-11-09 00:04:33 · 8 answers · asked by anaconda 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
wow... opposite answers to the same question... hmmm In a sense, they are both correct. The volumetric changes experienced by solids due to temperature changes is very small, but there is a slight change indeed. Every solid has its own coefficient of volumetric change for every degree change in temperature. A prime example of solids changing volume are the expansion joints you see in bridges. Also, I think the empire state building is like 6 inches taller in summer than in winter... something like that. Gasses on the other hand experience much larger volumetric changes. Temperature as well as pressure will greatly affect the volume of a gas. Consider oxygen, it can be compressed to a liquid.
On the other hand, let me second guess this question, maybe it should read, why can a gas be compressed and not a liquid? In a gas, the molecules are spaced wide apart, farther apart than their electric charges do not affect the molecule next to them. In a liquid, the molecules are packed as tight as they physically can be packed. They cannot be compressed farther. Only temperature can affect the volume of a liquid as mentioned above. Hope this helps some!
2006-11-09 00:26:14 · answer #1 · answered by tmarschall 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The volume of a substance means the amount of matter present in a substance. In a gas, the molecules are spread very far away. That is why we say it has "less volume". In a solid, the molecules are very closely and tightly packed. That is why we say that it has "high volume". We can change the volume of a gas by bringing the molecules of a gas more closer together. This will increase its volume. However, in a solid, the molecules are already very closely packed, so it is not possible to bring them closer. Therefore, the volume of a solid cannot change.
Hope this helps.
2006-11-09 08:10:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anurag S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the volume of a solid does change with changes in temperature.
2006-11-09 08:06:15 · answer #3 · answered by hanumistee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
look i dont speak english very well but:
a solid changes its volume but very very little. Happend that in solid atoms are very units with more power than gas.
Hey all depends of how much energy you use.
heat steel at 2000ºC and it will expand
2006-11-09 11:16:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
atoms of a solid are sited close to each other and they can not move freely (they just can vibrate in their position). in fact there is not much space between two neighborhood atoms in a solid material so you can not reduce its volume by pressure(in fact you can reduce its volume but this reduction is very very small compared to gases)
in a gas, spaces between atoms are huge and forces between them are weak so you can easily reduce its volume
2006-11-09 08:17:08 · answer #5 · answered by Ormoz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The center of a star is solid but it can be compressed down to a few KM in diameter
2006-11-09 13:10:35 · answer #6 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because solids have structures that does not allow them atoms to rearrange themselves....
the atoms in a solid have very strong bonds that can not be overcome by certain forces...
however, they will deform at certain factors like greater force, pressure, temperature, and the like....
2006-11-09 11:41:49 · answer #7 · answered by dumb-sel in distress 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think your question would be more correct if you put (shape) in place of (volume)
2006-11-09 08:14:50 · answer #8 · answered by shogunly 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋