Editing Compressibility

{{Short description|Parameter used to calculate the volume change of a fluid or solid in response to pressure}}
{{Thermodynamics|cTopic='''[[Material properties (thermodynamics)|Material properties]]'''}}

In [[thermodynamics]] and [[fluid mechanics]], the '''compressibility''' (also known as the '''coefficient of compressibility'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://glossary.ametsoc.org/wiki/Coefficient_of_compressibility|title=Coefficient of compressibility - AMS Glossary|website=Glossary.AMetSoc.org|access-date=3 May 2017}}</ref> or, if the temperature is held constant, the '''isothermal compressibility'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://petrowiki.org/Isothermal_compressibility_of_gases|title=Isothermal compressibility of gases -|website=Petrowiki.org|date=3 June 2015|access-date=3 May 2017}}</ref>) is a [[Measure (mathematics)|measure]] of the instantaneous relative volume change of a [[fluid]] or [[solid]] as a response to a [[pressure]] (or mean [[stress (physics)|stress]]) change. In its simple form, the compressibility <math>\kappa</math> (denoted {{mvar|β}} in some fields) may be expressed as

:<math>\beta =-\frac{1}{V}\frac{\partial V}{\partial p}</math>,

where {{mvar|V}} is [[Volume (thermodynamics)|volume]] and {{mvar|p}} is pressure. The choice to define compressibility as the [[additive inverse|negative]] of the fraction makes compressibility positive in the (usual) case that an increase in pressure induces a reduction in volume. The reciprocal of compressibility at fixed temperature is called the isothermal [[bulk modulus]].

==Definition==
The specification above is incomplete, because for any object or system the magnitude of the compressibility depends strongly on whether the process is [[isentropic process|isentropic]] or [[isothermal]]. Accordingly, '''isothermal''' compressibility is defined:

:<math>\beta_T=-\frac{1}{V}\left(\frac{\partial V}{\partial p}\right)_T,</math>
where the subscript {{mvar|T}} indicates that the partial differential is to be taken at constant temperature.

'''Isentropic''' compressibility is defined:

:<math>\beta_S=-\frac{1}{V}\left(\frac{\partial V}{\partial p}\right)_S,</math>

where {{mvar|S}} is entropy. For a solid, the distinction between the two is usually negligible.

Since the [[density]] {{mvar|ρ}} of a material is inversely proportional to its volume, it can be shown that in both cases
:<math>\beta=\frac{1}{\rho}\left(\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial p}\right).</math>
For instance, for an [[ideal gas]], 
:<math>pV=nRT,\, \rho=n/V </math>. Hence <math>\rho=p/RT </math>. 
Consequently, the isothermal
compressibility of an ideal gas is 
:<math>\beta=1/(\rho RT)= 1/P </math>.
The ideal gas (where the particles do not interact with each other) is an abstraction. The particles in real materials interact with each other. Then, the relation between the pressure, density and temperature is known as the [[equation of state]] denoted by some function <math>F</math>. The [[Van der Waals equation]]  is an example of an equation of state for a realistic gas.
:<math>\rho=F(p,T)</math>.
Knowing the equation of state, the compressibility can be determined for any substance.

===Relation to speed of sound===

The [[speed of sound]] is defined in [[classical mechanics]] as:

:<math>c^2=\left(\frac{\partial p}{\partial\rho}\right)_S</math>

It follows, by replacing [[partial derivative]]s, that the isentropic compressibility can be expressed as:

:<math>\beta_S=\frac{1}{\rho c^2}</math>

===Relation to bulk modulus===

The inverse of the compressibility is called the [[bulk modulus]], often denoted {{mvar|K}} (sometimes {{mvar|B}} or <math>\beta</math>).).
The [[compressibility equation]] relates the isothermal compressibility (and indirectly the pressure) to the structure of the liquid.

==Thermodynamics==
{{Main|Compressibility factor}}

The [[isothermal]] compressibility is generally related to the [[isentropic]] (or [[adiabatic]]) compressibility by a few relations:<ref name=llcompress>{{cite book |last1=Landau |last2=Lifshitz |title=[[Course of Theoretical Physics]] Vol 5: Statistical Physics |date=1980 |publisher=Pergamon |pages=54–55 and 342}}</ref>

: <math>\frac{\beta_T}{\beta_S} = \frac{c_p}{c_v} = \gamma,</math>
: <math>\beta_S = \beta_T - \frac{\alpha^2 T}{\rho c_p}, </math>
: <math>\frac{1}{\beta_S} = \frac{1}{\beta_T} + \frac{\Lambda^2 T}{\rho c_v} ,</math>

where {{mvar|γ}} is the [[heat capacity ratio]], {{mvar|α}} is the volumetric [[coefficient of thermal expansion]], {{math|''ρ'' {{=}} ''N''/''V''}} is the particle density, and <math>\Lambda = (\partial P/\partial T)_{V}</math> is the [[thermal pressure coefficient]].

In an extensive thermodynamic system, the application of [[statistical mechanics]] shows that the isothermal compressibility is also related to the relative size of fluctuations in particle density:<ref name=llcompress/>
: <math>\beta_T = \frac{(\partial \rho / \partial \mu)_{V,T}}{\rho^2} = \frac{\langle(\Delta N)^2\rangle/V}{k_{\rm B} T \rho^2},</math>
where {{mvar|μ}} is the [[chemical potential]].

The term "compressibility" is also used in [[thermodynamics]] to describe deviations of the [[thermodynamic properties]] of a [[real gas]] from those expected from an [[ideal gas]].

The '''[[compressibility factor]]''' is defined as

: <math>Z=\frac{p V_m}{R T} </math>
where {{mvar|p}} is the [[pressure]] of the gas, {{mvar|T}} is its [[temperature]], and <math>V_m</math> is its [[molar volume]], all measured independently of one another.  In the case of an ideal gas, the compressibility factor {{mvar|Z}} is equal to unity, and the familiar [[ideal gas law]] is recovered:

: <math>p = \frac{RT}{V_m}</math>

{{mvar|Z}} can, in general, be either greater or less than unity for a real gas.

The deviation from ideal gas behavior tends to become particularly significant (or, equivalently, the compressibility factor strays far from unity) near the [[critical point (thermodynamics)|critical point]], or in the case of high pressure or low temperature.  In these cases, a generalized [[compressibility chart]] or an alternative [[equation of state]] better suited to the problem must be utilized to produce accurate results.

==Earth science==
{| class="wikitable" align="right"
|+ Vertical, drained compressibilities<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Domenico|first1= P. A. |last2= Mifflin|first2 =M. D. |year=1965 |title=Water from low permeability sediments and land subsidence |journal=Water Resources Research |volume=1 |issue=4 |pages=563–576  |doi=10.1029/WR001i004p00563|bibcode = 1965WRR.....1..563D |osti=5917760 }}</ref>
|-
! Material !! ''<math>\beta_T</math>'' (m<sup>2</sup>/N or Pa<sup>−1</sup>)
|-
| Plastic clay || {{val|2e-6}} – {{val|2.6e-7}}
|-
| Stiff clay || {{val|2.6e-7}} – {{val|1.3e-7}}
|-
| Medium-hard clay || {{val|1.3e-7}} – {{val|6.9e-8}}
|-
| Loose sand || {{val|1e-7}} – {{val|5.2e-8}}
|-
| Dense sand || {{val|2e-8}} – {{val|1.3e-8}}
|-
| Dense, sandy gravel || {{val|1e-8}} – {{val|5.2e-9}}
|-
| [[Ethyl alcohol]]<ref name="YoungFreedman2012">Hugh D. Young; Roger A. Freedman. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=1YXznQEACAAJ University Physics with Modern Physics]''. Addison-Wesley; 2012. {{ISBN|978-0-321-69686-1}}. p. 356.</ref> || {{val|1.1e-9}}
|-
| [[Carbon disulfide]]<ref name="YoungFreedman2012"/> || {{val|9.3e-10}}
|-
| Rock, fissured || {{val|6.9e-10}} – {{val|3.3e-10}}
|-
| Water at 25&nbsp;°C (undrained)<ref name="YoungFreedman2012"/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fine|first2= F. J. |last2= Millero |year=1973 |title=Compressibility of water as a function of temperature and pressure |volume=59 |issue=10 |pages=5529–5536 |journal=Journal of Chemical Physics |doi=10.1063/1.1679903  |bibcode = 1973JChPh..59.5529F |first1=Rana A. }}</ref> || 4.6{{e|–10}}
|-
| Rock, sound || < {{val|3.3e-10}}
|-
| [[Glycerine]]<ref name="YoungFreedman2012"/> || {{val|2.1e-10}}
|-
| [[Mercury (element)|Mercury]]<ref name="YoungFreedman2012"/> || {{val|3.7e-11}}
|}
The [[Earth science]]s use ''compressibility'' to quantify the ability of a soil or rock to reduce in volume under applied pressure. This concept is important for [[specific storage]], when estimating [[groundwater]] reserves in confined [[aquifer]]s. Geologic materials are made up of two portions: solids and voids (or same as [[porosity]]).  The void space can be full of liquid or gas. Geologic materials reduce in volume only when the void spaces are reduced, which expel the liquid or gas from the voids. This can happen over a period of time, resulting in [[subsidence|settlement]].

It is an important concept in [[geotechnical engineering]] in the design of certain structural foundations.  For example, the construction of [[high-rise]] structures over underlying layers of highly compressible [[bay mud]] poses a considerable design constraint, and often leads to use of driven [[Deep foundation|piles]] or other innovative techniques.

==Fluid dynamics==
{{Main|Navier–Stokes equations#Compressible flow}}

The degree of compressibility of a fluid has strong implications for its dynamics.  Most notably, the propagation of sound is dependent on the compressibility of the medium.

==Aerodynamics==
{{Main|Aerodynamics#History}}
Compressibility is an important factor in [[aerodynamics]]. At low speeds, the compressibility of air is not significant in relation to [[aircraft]] design, but as the airflow nears and exceeds the [[speed of sound]], a host of new aerodynamic effects become important in the design of aircraft.  These effects, often several of them at a time, made it very difficult for [[World War II]] era aircraft to reach speeds much beyond {{cvt|800|km/h|sigfig=1}}.

Many effects are often mentioned in conjunction with the term "compressibility", but regularly have little to do with the compressible nature of air.  From a strictly aerodynamic point of view, the term should refer only to those side-effects arising as a result of the changes in airflow from an incompressible fluid (similar in effect to water) to a compressible fluid (acting as a gas) as the speed of sound is approached. There are two effects in particular, [[wave drag]] and [[critical mach]].
<!-- Please see the article discussion if you think terms incompressible and compressible should be swapped  -->

One complication occurs in hypersonic aerodynamics, where dissociation causes an increase in the "notional" molar volume because a mole of oxygen, as O<sub>2</sub>, becomes 2 moles of monatomic oxygen and N<sub>2</sub> similarly dissociates to 2&nbsp;N.  Since this occurs dynamically as air flows over the aerospace object, it is convenient to alter the compressibility factor {{mvar|Z}}, defined for an initial 30 gram moles of air, rather than track the varying mean molecular weight, millisecond by millisecond.  This pressure dependent transition occurs for atmospheric oxygen in the 2,500–4,000&nbsp;K temperature range, and in the 5,000–10,000&nbsp;K range for nitrogen.<ref>{{cite book|isbn=1-56347-048-9|last=Regan|first= Frank J.|title=Dynamics of Atmospheric Re-entry|page= 313|year=1993|publisher=American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics }}</ref>

In transition regions, where this pressure dependent dissociation is incomplete, both beta (the volume/pressure differential ratio) and the differential, constant pressure heat capacity greatly increases. For moderate pressures, above 10,000&nbsp;K the gas further dissociates into free electrons and ions. {{mvar|Z}} for the resulting plasma can similarly be computed for a mole of initial air, producing values between 2 and 4 for partially or singly ionized gas. Each dissociation absorbs a great deal of energy in a reversible process and this greatly reduces the thermodynamic temperature of hypersonic gas decelerated near the aerospace object. Ions or free radicals transported to the object surface by diffusion may release this extra (nonthermal) energy if the surface catalyzes the slower recombination process.

==Negative compressibility==
For ordinary materials, the bulk compressibility (sum of the linear compressibilities on the three axes) is positive, that is, an increase in pressure squeezes the material to a smaller volume. This condition is required for mechanical stability.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1088/0022-3719/5/5/005|title=Role of the elastic constants in negative thermal expansion of axial solids|year=1971|last1=Munn|first1=R. W.|journal=Journal of Physics C: Solid State Physics|volume=5|issue=5|pages=535–542|bibcode = 1972JPhC....5..535M }}</ref> However, under very specific conditions, materials can exhibit a compressibility that can be negative.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lakes |first1=Rod |last2=Wojciechowski |first2=K. W. |year=2008 |title=Negative compressibility, negative Poisson's ratio, and stability |journal=Physica Status Solidi B |volume=245 |issue=3 |pages=545 |bibcode=2008PSSBR.245..545L |doi=10.1002/pssb.200777708 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gatt |first1=Ruben |last2=Grima |first2=Joseph N. |year=2008 |title=Negative compressibility |url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/18943 |journal=Physica Status Solidi RRL |volume=2 |issue=5 |pages=236 |bibcode=2008PSSRR...2..236G |doi=10.1002/pssr.200802101 |s2cid=216142598|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kornblatt |first1=J. A. |year=1998 |title=Materials with Negative Compressibilities |journal=Science |volume=281 |issue=5374 |pages=143a–143 |bibcode=1998Sci...281..143K |doi=10.1126/science.281.5374.143a |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Moore |first1=B. |last2=Jaglinski |first2=T. |last3=Stone |first3=D. S. |last4=Lakes |first4=R. S. |year=2006 |title=Negative incremental bulk modulus in foams |journal=Philosophical Magazine Letters |volume=86 |issue=10 |pages=651 |bibcode=2006PMagL..86..651M |doi=10.1080/09500830600957340 |s2cid=41596692}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Mach number]]
* [[Mach tuck]]
* [[Poisson ratio]]
* [[Prandtl–Glauert singularity]], associated with supersonic flight
* [[Shear strength]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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[[Category:Thermodynamic properties]]
[[Category:Fluid dynamics]]
[[Category:Mechanical quantities]]