answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Yes, you can compress any form of matter, it's just not as easy to compress certain forms.

The ability for something to be compressed is called "Bulk Elastic Properties". (For more information, visit http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/permot3.html) Water, for example, requires a great deal of pressure to accomplish very little compression, most of the time unnoticeable. For that reason, liquids and solids are sometimes referred to as being incompressible. However in nature, water at the bottom of the ocean is compressed by the weight of the water above it and is more dense than the water at the surface.

In a solid you cant compress anything because the forces of attraction are so powerful that there is no space left to compress,

In a liquid the forces of attraction are quite strong so there is limited amount of space to be compressed.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

The answer is yes, You can compress water, or almost any material. However, it requires a great deal of pressure to accomplish a little compression. For that reason, liquids and solids are sometimes referred to as being incompressible.

To understand what happens, remember that all matter is composed of a collection of atoms. Even though matter seems to be very solid, in actuality, the atoms are relative far apart, and matter is mostly empty space. However, due to the forces between the molecules, they strongly resist being pressed closer together, but they can be. You probably have experienced compressing something as hard as steel. Have you ever bounced a steel ball bearing off a sidewalk? When you do that, the 'bounce' is due to compressing the steel ball, just a tiny little spot that comes into contact with the sidewalk. It compresses and then springs back, causing the bounce.

The water at the bottom of the ocean is compressed by the weight of the water above it all the way to the surface, and is more dense than the water at the surface.

A consequence of compressing a fluid is that the viscosity, that is the resistance of the fluid to flow, also increases as the density increases. This is because the atoms are forced closer together, and thus cannot slip by each other as easily as they can when the fluid is at atmospheric pressure.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

YES you can. however you cannot compress a liquid to make it a solid

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Yes but depending on the liquid it may require a very high pressure to cause a volume change.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Can liquids be compressed to a smaller volume?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Can the particles in gas be compressed into smaller volume?

Yes, a gas can be easily compressed.


Does liquids have definite volume and shape?

They have a definite volume, as they cannot be compressed. However they do not have a definite shape, they will take the shape of whatever they are stored in.


Do gases keep the same volume?

Usually not. They can easily expand into a larger volume, or be compressed into a smaller volume.


How many states of matter can be compressed?

One. It is gas as gas does not have a definite shape or volume thus it can be compressed. Liquids do not have a definite shape but it has a definite volume, making it unable to compress. Solids have both a definite shape and volume thus it also cannot be compressed.


What instruments do you use to measure the volume of smaller liquids?

a graduated cylinder


As a gas is compressed in a cylinder does its volume decrease?

"Force the substance into a smaller volume" is pretty much the definition of "compress".


Is gas and liquid's compersabile?

Only gases are compressible, for they have an indefinite shape and volume. Liquids, however, cannot be compressed, for they have an indefinite shape, but a definite volume.


What states of matter have definite volume?

Solids and liquids are two states of matter that occupy a definite volume. The molecules in them are bonded by strong intermolecular forces which do not allow them to be compressed to a very large extent.


Why can gases be compressesd?

Gases can be compressed because their particles can be squeezed closer together into a smaller volume.


Why are solids USUALLY more dense liquids and gases?

Solids are usually more dense because solids have a smaller volume than liquids or gases, so the same amount of mass is in a smaller volume, making the density greater.


Which of the three states does not have a definite volume or definite shape?

The answer you're looking for is likely gas. However, liquids CAN be compressed so their volume is not quite as definite as it would seem.


Why does gas have no specific volume?

gas has no specific volume because the molecules can be compressed or expanded, which would change the volume. like there is a smaller volume of gas in a can of soda then in the atmesphere around you.