A rigid cube (each side is 0.10 m) is filled with water and frozen solid. When water freezes its volume expands about 9%. How much pressure is exerted on the sides of the cube? Hint: Imagine trying to squeeze the block of ice back into the original cube.

P = 1.89 10⁸ N / m²

Explanation:

To solve this problem we can use the definition of bulk modules

B = - P / (ΔV/V)

The negative sign is entered for the volume module to be positive, P is the pressure and ΔV/V is the volume change fraction

In this case the volume change is 9% this is

ΔV / V 100 = 9%

ΔV / V = 0.09

P = B ΔV / V

The bulk modulus value is that of water since it is in a liquid state and then freezes

B = 0.21 101¹⁰ N / m²

let's calculate

P = 0.21 10¹⁰ 0.09

P = 1.89 10⁸ N / m²