Liquid water displays a number of anomalies, including the famous density maximum at 4 C and the compressibility minimum at 46 C. Moreover, the density decreases markedly and the compressibility increases rapidly as the temperature is further decreased below 0 C and the liquid becomes supercooled. Finally, the density decrease upon freezing is also anomalous. In this talk I will explore possible microscopic and thermodynamic origins of these anomalies, present experimental, simulation, and theoretical evidence for the presence of a liquid-liquid critical point in deeply supercooled water, and argue that this critical point, even though far removed in temperature and pressure from ambient water, is nonetheless responsible for its anomalies.
Speaker
James Skinner from University of Chicago
Date
Location
Melcher Hall rm 170