1. What is Water Specific Volume?

Specific volume is the reciprocal of density, representing the volume occupied by a unit mass of a substance. For water, it indicates how much space one kilogram of water occupies at a given condition.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the specific volume formula:

Where:

• \( v \) — Specific volume (m³/kg)
• \( \rho_{\text{water}} \) — Water density (kg/m³)

Explanation: The equation calculates the volume occupied per unit mass of water, which is the inverse of its density.

3. Importance of Specific Volume Calculation

Details: Specific volume is important in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and engineering applications where volume changes with temperature and pressure need to be considered.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter water density in kg/m³. The value must be valid (density > 0). Note that water density varies with temperature, with maximum density at approximately 4°C.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does water density change with temperature?
A: Water molecules form hydrogen bonds that create an open structure. As temperature changes, this structure expands or contracts, changing the mass per unit volume.

Q2: What is the density of water at room temperature?
A: At 20°C, pure water has a density of approximately 998 kg/m³, which gives a specific volume of about 0.001002 m³/kg.

Q3: How does pressure affect water density?
A: Water is nearly incompressible, so pressure has minimal effect on density. Large pressure changes are needed to significantly alter water density.

Q4: What is the specific volume of ice compared to water?
A: Ice has a larger specific volume than liquid water (about 0.00109 m³/kg vs 0.00100 m³/kg), which is why ice floats on water.

Q5: How is specific volume used in engineering?
A: Specific volume is crucial in designing systems involving fluid flow, heat transfer, and phase changes, such as in refrigeration cycles and steam turbines.