Question

Why can't oxygen be liquefied at room temperature by increasing pressure?

a) Oxygen has high viscosity.
b) Oxygen has low density.
c) Oxygen has high boiling point.
d) Oxygen has low critical temperature.

Answer 1

Oxygen cannot be liquefied at room temperature by increasing pressure due to its low critical temperature.

Step-by-step explanation:

Oxygen cannot be liquefied at room temperature by increasing pressure because of its low critical temperature. The critical temperature of a substance is the highest temperature at which it can exist as a liquid under any amount of pressure. Oxygen has a critical temperature below room temperature, so no amount of pressure can make it liquefy at room temperature. In contrast, substances like ammonia have a critical temperature higher than room temperature, so they can be liquefied by compression at room temperature.