Prepare a vacuum pump, vacuum table, and bell jar so that a high degree of vacuum can be attained.

In a clean watch glass place a few table spoons of tap water (temperature about 65F) and support the
watch glass over a small container of concentrated sulfuric acid (to help the pump absorb water
vapor), all on the vacuum table. Put the bell jar over the apparatus, using vacuum wax for a good seal
(see figure below).

The triple-point experiment. At a very low pressure liquid water boils to a vapor as it
simultaneously is freezing to a solid. (Note: Do not repeat this demonstration frequently, as the
water vapor drawn into the vacuum pump may damage it.)

There must be no leaks or the desired result will not occur. The vacuum table should be equipped
with a good vacuum gauge, and a thermometer should be suspended from the bell jar so its bulb will
be in the water. Start the pump, and take simultaneous pressure and temperature readings every 15
sec. First, dissolved air comes out of the water in very small bubbles. Then, at a point
(approximately) where p = 0.52 in. Hg and t = 60F, boiling of the water begins. Boiling continues as
both pressure and temperature drop. After a few minutes the temperature will have dropped to 32F
and pressure will be about 0.18 in. Hg. Bubbling will have slowed down or almost ceased. After
another minute or so (watch closely for it) the water surface loses its sheen and the water suddenly
freezes to ice. Ice formed, liquid was present, and vapor was being given off all at the same time!
This condition point (p = 0.18 in. Hg, t = 32F; or 4.57 mm Hg, 0C, respectively) is known as the
triple point for water, and this demonstration is commonly known as the triple-point experiment (see
figure below).

Phase diagram for water, showing the triple point. At the triple point P, water exists in
equilibrium among all three states-solid, liquid, and vapor.
Water was boiled, not by heating, but by pulling a vacuum on it, and ice was frozen from boiling
water. No flame was required to furnish heat to boil the water. No refrigerant was used to freeze the
water. Can you explain the processes involved in this experiment? If you have really thought through
the kinetic molecular theory of heat, the Maxwellian distribution idea, the discussion of sensible and
latent heat, the vapor-pressure explanation of boiling, and the real meaning of adiabatic processes,
you can.
Water is used in the above examples for two reasons:
1. It is the most common medium of heat exchange and is always present in the air to be
conditioned, and
2. the changes of state which we desire to show can be easily demonstrated for water with
relatively simple equipment within a range of temperatures and pressures easily obtainable in
the laboratory.
It will be shown later that the same basic principles apply to the substances we call refrigerants.