Plastic Ice

17.03.2025

Plastic Ice

Why in the news?                        

             Scientists have confirmed the existence of a fourth form of water, Plastic Ice VII, an exotic phase of ice that forms under extreme conditions.

About Plastic Ice:

• Under normal conditions, water exists in three phases: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (vapour or steam). Unlike ordinary ice, Plastic Ice VII allows water molecules to rotate freely within a rigid crystalline structure.
• This phase was first predicted in 2008, but scientists have now provided solid evidence of its existence using advanced neutron-scattering experiments at the Institut Laue-Langevin in France.
• The unique structure of Plastic Ice VII forms at pressures exceeding three gigapascals (GPa), about 30,000 times atmospheric pressure on Earth, and temperatures above 450 Kelvin (177°C).

How Was It Discovered?

• Researchers used quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) and diamond-anvil cells to study tiny high-pressure samples. These techniques allowed them to analyze molecular motion at the atomic scale.
• Their findings confirm that while Plastic Ice VII retains a crystalline structure, its molecules rotate in specific, preferred directions.

Significance of Plastic Ice Discovery:

• This discovery has profound implications for planetary science. Ice VII, an earlier known phase, exists deep inside the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn, such as Callisto, Ganymede, and Titan.
• Now, the confirmation of Plastic Ice VII suggests that water in extreme environments behaves in even more complex ways than previously thought.
• Understanding this exotic ice could help scientists explore whether extreme planetary conditions could support life and how water influences the structure of celestial bodies.
• Scientists believe this discovery could lead to new insights in materials science, planetary exploration, and even the development of futuristic technologies that use extreme pressure conditions.

                                                           Source: The Times of India

Plastic Ice VII, recently seen in news, refers to:

A.an exotic phase of ice that forms under extreme conditions

B.a biodegradable plastic alternative designed to replace single-use plastic

C.a synthetic polymer-based material used to mimic ice for industrial cooling

D.a microplastic contamination found in polar ice sheets due to environmental pollution

Answer A