Boil–Freeze–Pop Thermodynamics

Abstract

A NASA astronaut's observation of a pan of water placed in a vacuum chamber used for simulated space conditions provided information for this analysis. As the vacuum chamber was depressurized the water was observed to boil violently, then flash freeze, and then ice popped out of the pan. A thermodynamic analysis of the observed behaviour includes phase change cooling, an explanation of the boil—freeze—pop performance and a process path plot on the pressure—volume—temperature diagram that passes through the triple point of water.