Question

Which of the following can be easily compressed? Liquid water or steam.

Answer 1

The substances can be classified into solid, liquid and gas.

Solid:

1. The space between the particles of a solid is called intermolecular space.
2. Due to strong forces of attraction between the particles of solid, the particles are tightly held in place.
3. The particles are very closely packed so the intermolecular space in solid is very less.
4. Therefore, solids are hard and cannot be compressed.
5. Example: Ice

Liquid:

1. The particles are loosely packed and the empty spaces between them are relatively large.
2. Due to loose packing, attractive forces between them are weaker than in solids.
3. Hence, the distance between the particles (intermolecular spaces) in liquids is more as compared to that of solids.
4. Therefore liquids are more compressible than solids but less than gases.
5. Example: liquid water

Gas:

1. Gases have a very weak intermolecular force between the particles and the distance between the particles is very large as compared to the solids and liquids.
2. Gases, unlike solids and liquids, are highly compressible which allows them to be compressed readily by applying pressure.
3. Example: oxygen and steam
4. Hence, gases can be easily compressed as compared to solids and liquids.

Since steam exists in a gaseous state and water exists in liquid form thus steam being in the gaseous state is more compressible than the liquid water which is in the liquid state.

Hence, out of liquid water and steam, steam is more compressible.