When water freezes, it expands about nine percent. What would be the pressure increase inside your automobile engine block if the water in there froze? The bulk modulus of ice is 2.0 × 10⁹ N/m², and 1 atm= 1.01 × 10⁵N/m². A)18 atm B)360 atm C)1100 atm D)1600 atm E)600 atm

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pressure increase can be calculated using the formula for bulk modulus: ΔP = B * (ΔV/V). Given that the volume change ΔV/V is 0.09 (9% expansion), and B is 2.0 × 10^9 N/m², the pressure increase ΔP = 2.0 × 10^9 * 0.09 = 1.8 × 10^8 N/m². Converting this to atm: 1.8 × 10^8 N/m² / 1.01 × 10^5 N/m²/atm ≈ 1782 atm, which is closest to 1600 atm.

When Water Freezes, It Expands About Nine Percent