Compressibility
Definition
Compressibility is a measure of the relative volume change of a fluid or solid as a response to a pressure change. It quantifies how much the material can be compressed when subjected to external forces.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Compressibility is inversely related to bulk modulus, which measures a material's resistance to compression.
- In gases, compressibility is significantly higher compared to liquids and solids due to larger intermolecular spaces.
- The formula for compressibility is $\beta = -\frac{1}{V} \left( \frac{\partial V}{\partial P} \right)_T$ where $V$ is volume and $P$ is pressure at constant temperature.
- For most solids and liquids, compressibility values are very low, indicating minimal volume changes under pressure.
- Understanding compressibility helps in analyzing stress-strain relationships in materials under different loading conditions.
Review Questions
- How does compressibility relate to the bulk modulus of a material?
- Why are gases more compressible compared to liquids and solids?
- What is the mathematical expression for compressibility?
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Related terms
Bulk Modulus: A measure of a substance's resistance to uniform compression; it is the inverse of compressibility.
Stress: The force per unit area applied on an object in a direction perpendicular to its surface.
Strain: The deformation or displacement per unit length that occurs in an object due to applied stress.
