>Most liquids are homogenous — it all flows together and you can’t distinguish one liquid molecule from the next. Indeed, this is mostly true of water. However, in 1992 researchers theorized that at a certain temperature and pressure, liquid water would reach a critical point at which it would no longer be homogenous.
>Paesani’s team conducted simulations that revealed the critical point at which the temperature is low enough (198 Kelvin or -103 Fahrenheit) and the pressure is high enough (1,250 atmospheres) for water to spontaneously separate into high-density and low-density liquids.
... Why wouldn't it be a solid under these conditions?
I think with water, solid requires a specific crystal alignment and the high pressure prevents that alignment from being able to be made, so it stays in the next higher stage, which is a liquid.
>Most liquids are homogenous — it all flows together and you can’t distinguish one liquid molecule from the next. Indeed, this is mostly true of water. However, in 1992 researchers theorized that at a certain temperature and pressure, liquid water would reach a critical point at which it would no longer be homogenous.
>Paesani’s team conducted simulations that revealed the critical point at which the temperature is low enough (198 Kelvin or -103 Fahrenheit) and the pressure is high enough (1,250 atmospheres) for water to spontaneously separate into high-density and low-density liquids.
... Why wouldn't it be a solid under these conditions?
I think with water, solid requires a specific crystal alignment and the high pressure prevents that alignment from being able to be made, so it stays in the next higher stage, which is a liquid.
Ah, so the same reason ice (the "normal" kind at easily attainable temperatures and pressures) is (unusually) less dense than water?
Yes, that is my understanding