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The Chemical Composition and Properties of Water

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Exploring water's composition, H2O, and its critical role in life on Earth. Covers its states—solid, liquid, gas—and transitions influencing the hydrological cycle. Water's distribution across the planet's surface and its economic and ecological importance are highlighted, alongside its unusual density and diamagnetic properties.

The Chemical Composition of Water

Water is a vital, transparent, and nearly colorless substance that is essential for all known forms of life. Each water molecule is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, linked by covalent bonds. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms form a V-shaped molecular structure with a bond angle of approximately 104.5°, which contributes to water's unique physical and chemical properties. With the chemical formula H2O, water acts as a universal solvent, capable of dissolving many different substances. This characteristic leads to natural water sources often containing various dissolved materials. To achieve chemically pure water, devoid of any dissolved impurities, specialized purification processes are necessary.
Glass beaker with water on wooden table, green plant in terracotta pot and spherical flask with ice, blue sky and lake background.

States of Water and Its Transformations

Water is remarkable for its ability to exist in three common states of matter—solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapor or steam)—at the temperatures and pressures typically found on Earth. The planet's climate conditions allow these states to coexist at the water's triple point. The transitions between these states, including freezing, melting, vaporization, condensation, sublimation, and deposition, are integral to the hydrological cycle. This cycle involves the continuous movement of water through processes such as evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, and surface runoff, which often returns water to the oceans.

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Composition of water molecules

Two hydrogen atoms, one oxygen atom, linked by covalent bonds.

01

Bond angle in water molecules

Approximately 104.5°, forming a V-shaped structure.

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Purification process for water

Specialized processes required to remove dissolved impurities for chemically pure water.

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