Abstract
Because an understanding of the physical properties of vapour-deposited amorphous H2O, Ias, is important for the discussion of the evolution of the Solar System1–3, they have been extensively studied4–9. In particular, the importance of vapour pressure of Ias for the production rate of H2O gas from a new comet has been realized10,11; but there has been no previous measurement of this. Here we present the results of experiments demonstrating that the vapour pressure of Ias is one or two orders of magnitude larger than that of crystalline H2O and depends greatly on the condensation temperature, Tc, and the rate of condensation, R. We also discuss the evaporation of Ias in space.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
1. Klinger, J. J. phys. Chem. 87, 4209–4214 (1983). 2. Greenberg, J. M. et al J. phys. Chem. 87, 4243–4260 (1983). 3. Seki, J. & Hasegawa, H. Astrophys. Space Sci. 94, 177–189 (1983). 4. Hobbs, P. V. Ice Physics (Oxford University Press, 1974). 5. Narten, A. H. et al. J. chem. Phys. 64, 1106–1121 (1976). 6. Sivakumar, T. C. et al. J. chem. Phys. 69, 3468–3476 (1978). 7. Hagen, W. et al. Chem. Phys. 56, 367–379 (1981). 8. Mayer, E. & Pletzer, R. /. chem. Phys. 80, 2939–2952 (1984). 9. Mayer, E. & Pletzer, R. Nature 319, 298–301 (1986). 10. Leger, A. et al. Astr. Astrophys. 117, 164–169 (1983). 11. Mukai, T. Astr. Astrophys. 164, 397–407 (1986). 12. Tschudin, K. Helv. phys. Acta 19, 91–102 (1946). 13. Davy, J. G. & Somorjai, G. A. /. chem. Phys. 55, 3624–3636 (1971). 14. Bryson, C. E. Ill et al. J. chem. Engng Data 19, 107–110 (1974). 15. Washburn, E. W. in International Critical Tables of Numerical Data Vol. 3 (ed. Washburn, E. W.) 210–212 (National Research Council of the United States of America, 1928). 16. A'Hearn, M. F. et al. Astr. J. 89, 579–591 (1984).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kouchi, A. Vapour pressure of amorphous H2O ice and its astrophysical implications. Nature 330, 550–552 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/330550a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/330550a0
This article is cited by
-
Gas phase synthesis of core-shell Fe@FeO x magnetic nanoparticles into fluids
Journal of Nanoparticle Research (2016)
-
Preparation of hydrosol suspensions of elemental and core–shell nanoparticles by co-deposition with water vapour from the gas-phase in ultra-high vacuum conditions
Journal of Nanoparticle Research (2012)
-
TEOS-10: A New International Oceanographic Standard for Seawater, Ice, Fluid Water, and Humid Air
International Journal of Thermophysics (2012)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.