Can water volume reduce with introduction of another chemical [duplicate]








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[How does volume contraction in solvent mixing work?](/questions/23534/how-does-volume-contraction-in-solvent-mixing-work)

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[Is there a soluble salt, or compound that when dissolved in water results in a solution with density less than pure water?](/questions/34919/is-there-a-soluble-salt-or-compound-that-when-dissolved-in-water-results-in-a-s)

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Closed 7 years ago.



Can a chemical be introduced to a volume of water which can actually reduce the volume of water in that container?




Yes, at least if only the total volume should decrease:


Density of water: $\pu{1000 kg/m^3}$  

Density of ethanol: $\pu{789 kg/m^3}$  

**Expected** density of 52 Vol.% ethanol solution: $\pu{890 kg/m^3}$  

**True** density of 52 Vol.% ethanol solution: $\pu{909 kg/m^3}$  

*All values are for the same conditions.*


The volume of every ethanol-water solution is smaller than the sum of the original volumes of water and ethanol. For example if you add $\pu{52 mL}$ of ethanol to $\pu{48 mL}$ water you will get a solution with an volume of approximately $\pu{97.9 mL}$.  

This effect is known as **volume contraction** and depends on the mixing ratio of both components in a nonlinear way. Its reason is the formation of additional bonding forces (*e.g.*, hydrogen bridges) between the molecules, which results in a higher density.


*Note:* I don´t think that there is something that can increase density of water in such a way that the resulting total volume is actually smaller than the volume of water used. 


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