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water phase diagram

Started by Oh_Gee
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Oh_Gee

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why does the melting point of water decrease if external pressure is applied to it. i'm looking at the phase diagram but can't figure it out
 
Water is special in that it expands when it becomes a solid (ice is less dense because the hydrogen bonds of the water hold it in a lattice as a solid and they can't move around and get as close as they can when water is a liquid) , and since you are increasing the external pressure the volume wants to decrease and water takes up less volume in the liquid form than as ice.