The Physics of Liquid Water

Book excerpt: Unraveling the mystery of the negative thermal expansion of liquid water has been a challenge for scientists for centuries. Various theories have been proposed so far, but none has been able to solve this mystery. Since the thermodynamic properties of matter are determined by the interaction between particles, the mystery can be solved fundamentally if the thermodynamic physical quantities using the laws of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics are determined, the experimental results are reproduced, and the phenomena in relation to the shape of the interaction between particles are elucidated. In this sense, this book has fundamentally unraveled this mystery. In addition, it discusses the mysteries of isothermal compressibility, structural diversity, as well as liquefaction and boiling points of water in relation to the shape of the interaction between particles. It carefully explains the analysis and calculation methods so that they can be easily understood by the readers.