Chapter 17, Problem 9TE

Which occupies the greatest volume: 1 g of liquid water, or 1 g of water vapour?

To determine

The occupancy of the greatest volume - ^1g of ice, ^1g of liquid water and ^1g of ice water

Answer to Problem 9TE

One gram of water vapour occupies the greatest volume as the molecules are in gaseous phase and occupies most of the available volume.

Explanation of Solution

Solid, liquid and gaseous forms are the phases of matter and they are distinguished by the attractions between the particles that hold them. The attractions between the particles in solid, liquid and gaseous states are:

Solid > Liquid > Gaseous

It means the particles in solid phase are very strongly attracted and remain fixed in a volume and the particles in gaseous phase have least attractions so the particles move freely and occupies most of the available volume. The particles in liquid phase have intermediate attractions so the particles do not remain at fixed positions and have fluid character and assume of the shape of the container.

So one gram of water vapour occupies the greatest volume as the molecules are in gaseous phase and occupies most of the available volume.

Conclusion:

Therefore, one gram of water vapour occupies the greatest volume as the molecules are in gaseous phase and occupies most of the available volume.