Borden Endowed Lecture in Theoretical Chemistry Professor James L. Skinner – Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago "Anomalies in ambient and supercooled water: is there a second critical point lurking nearby?" 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. Host: Anne McCoy For more information about parking or other questions about this event, please contact Madison Canfield at lmc93@uw.edu or 206.685.8445. |