Is it possible to have negative pressure

But the evolution of a system with a negative pressure is unstable and thus can't be fully described just by thermodynamics. It has to be described by following more degrees of freedom of the fluid than just the usual 3 thermodynamic variables.

I hope I haven't gotten too technical with this answer; from the phrasing of your question it looked like you would be able to follow this approach. If you need further clarification, don't hesitate to ask. A liquid under tension wants to be vapor, but it needs a boost, or a lowering of its energy barrier, to change phases. Until that happens—when the liquid is shaken, for instance, or its tension is increased—the liquid stretches. Such is the case in the xylem tubes of trees.

Debenedetti and Steinhardt don't work in the same building at Princeton, but they know of each other because their daughters share the same piano teacher. At my request, the two exchanged a few e-mails and concluded that each man's negative pressure was a stranger to the other.

I also approached cosmologist Michael Turner at the University of Chicago, who conferred with his friend Humphrey Maris, a physicist and fluid-dynamics expert at Brown University. After talking to Maris, Turner helped put the two realms together.

The two kinds of negative pressure are related, though, "in the sense that they are examples of things that behave elastically.

And both are a bit counterintuitive. If there is a unifying theme here, Turner said, it's direction—an inward, imploding, or contracting force, rather than the outward-pushing force typically defined as pressure. The minus sign next to those atmospheres doesn't mean "less than nothing"; it's an arbitrary signifier denoting "in the direction opposite of positive. Liquids can have negative pressure in metastable states, when they resist turning to vapor.

And, according to the astrophysicists, even empty space can have negative pressure. Gases are still the dark horse in the meta-stable. Steinhardt has heard that metastable gases can have negative pressure, but he isn't sure how. Debenedetti is skeptical. Turner is noncommittal. Since the many facets of negative pressure are obscure enough to escape career physicists, I figure readers can be forgiven their confusion.

This leads to diminished air quality, which directly results in adverse health effects. Air pulled in through cracks in the basement floor carry in gasses that are heavier than air — namely radon. Radon poisoning is known to damage the lungs and cause lung cancer. Backdrafting of carbon monoxide can occur from fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, boilers, and water heaters.

Energy Star suggests mechanical ventilation reduce radon and carbon monoxide in the home. The Department of Energy suggests that all homes with fuel-burning appliances install a carbon monoxide detector. It is important to maintain a home with balanced air pressure. This ensures that every room receives the right amount of air. Balanced airflow keeps all rooms at an ideal temperature throughout the year.

In addition to keeping members of the household comfortable, balanced airflow improves energy efficiency and lowers energy costs.

A home with negative pressure lacks a source of fresh air. Simple measures like repairing ducts and adjusting fan motors can fix air pressure problems. Moreover, your home may require additional ventilation. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

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Multi-Layer Insulation. Do you hear whistling and other odd noises? So there is a "such thing" as negative pressure. It still means something different than what we use it for But our use of the words effectively communicates our meaning in the OC community. We are a community. We are a fellowship made strong by mutual respect and shared dedication to the task of enriching all who come here.

Put your computer to work for our OC Forum Teams! The other half I waste. Thanks for keeping me honest Metalwave, thats interesting. I do appreciate the urge to convey more precise insights often being that way myself , but I'm with IMOG on this one. X 3. Theres some utility in this thread as a result IMO. If you look at your "warp-core" theory, negative pressure occurs at the point between Warp 6.

So basically you are screwed