GUZMAN, ROSE CAMILLE A.

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24

CONTRACTION OF LIQUIDS
I. INTRODUCTION:
Liquid is a kind of matter in which its particles can either contract or expand depending on the
change in temperature (average energy of particles).
Contraction in liquids occur during the process or state of cooling or decrease in temperature.
As contraction in liquids occur the volume of the substance and the average distances between its
particles are affected.
II. DIAGRAM:

III. DISCUSSION:
As shown in the diagram below, the liquid substance contains liquid particles from the right
showing that each particle have great average distances in between and have occupied a greater
volume. But as the temperature decreases or the state of cooling was applied, we notice that the
liquid particles shown from the left suddenly decreased the spaces in between causing a decrease
in volume of the liquid. This is because as cooling is present, the liquid particles tend to vibrate
slower causing these particles to move closer to one another till they be held compact, to
compress or simply to contract.
When the temperature decreases, particles lose energy and move closer to one another thus, the
volume decreases. The average distance between the atoms/molecules typically decreases,
causing the substance to contract. Contraction due to changes in temperature is not permanent.
IV. CONCLUDING STATEMENT:
Any substance in liquid form decreases in volume when cooled as its particles contract except
for water because, it expands even when there is a decrease in temperature due to its crystalline
structure and uniform density of 4C.
V. APPLICATION:
This is demonstrated by a thermometer filled with mercury or alcohol in the bulb. When the
mercury or alcohol is in contact with cold substances, the mercury or alcohol thread will contract
and drop.
VI. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
OpenStax Colleges COLLEGE PHYSICS
Senior Contributing Authors:
Dr. Paul Peter Urone
Dr. Roger Hinrichs, State University of New York, College at Oswego
Copyright 2013
UNIVERSITY PHYSICS with Modern Physics (13th Edition)
Authors:
Hugh D. Young, Carnegie Mellon University
Roger A. Freedman, University of California, Santa Barbara
Copyright 2012, 2008, 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.