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The Chemical Composition and Properties of Water

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.

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1

Composition of water molecules

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

2

Bond angle in water molecules

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Approximately 104.5°, forming a V-shaped structure.

3

Purification process for water

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

4

Water is unique because it can be found as a 1, 2, and 3 due to Earth's 4 and 5.

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solid liquid gas temperatures pressures

5

The 1 cycle is a continuous movement involving 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, often returning water to the 7.

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hydrological evaporation transpiration condensation precipitation surface runoff oceans

6

Earth's non-oceanic water reservoirs

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Glaciers, ice caps, groundwater, atmosphere (vapor, clouds, precipitation).

7

Importance of water in the water cycle

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Supports water cycle functioning, sustains life, regulates climate.

8

Role of water in geological processes

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Frost weathering: water expands upon freezing, fractures rocks, damages infrastructure.

9

Agriculture accounts for approximately ______% of the global freshwater usage.

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70

10

In various industries, water is used as a ______, ______, and ______ in many processes.

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coolant heating medium solvent

11

The ______ industry relies on aquatic ecosystems to supply a large part of the world's ______ protein.

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fishing dietary

12

______ transportation is crucial for the international trade of ______ and other commodities.

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Waterborne oil

13

Water provides for numerous ______ activities, including ______, ______, and ______.

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recreational swimming boating skiing

14

Old English origin of 'water'

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Derived from 'wæter', showing the word's deep historical roots in the English language.

15

Water's role in civilization development

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Crucial for growth and sustainability of societies, influencing settlement locations and agriculture.

16

Scientific study of water

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Focuses on its origins, properties, and is vital for understanding Earth's history and life evolution.

17

Unlike most substances, water ______ and becomes less dense when it ______.

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expands freezes

18

Water is at its heaviest at around ______, which is equivalent to ______.

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4°C 39.2°F

19

The unusual property of water that allows ice to ______ on its liquid form is crucial for the survival of ______ in frigid waters.

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float aquatic life

20

Water is ______ by magnetic fields, a characteristic more noticeable with ______ magnets.

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weakly repelled superconducting

21

Standard freezing and boiling points of water at 1 atm

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Water freezes at 0°C (32°F) and boils at 100°C (212°F) at 1 atmosphere pressure.

22

Clausius-Clapeyron relation significance

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Describes how water's phase transition temperatures change with pressure, crucial for understanding environmental processes.

23

Effect of pressure on ice beneath glaciers

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Increased pressure can induce melting, forming subglacial lakes, affecting glacier movement.

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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.

Distribution and Function of Water in the Earth's Hydrosphere

Water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface, primarily in the form of seas and oceans, which hold approximately 96.5% of the Earth's total water volume. The rest is found in glaciers, ice caps, groundwater, and the atmosphere as water vapor, clouds, and precipitation. Water's presence in these reservoirs is crucial for the functioning of the water cycle and for sustaining life on our planet. It also plays a significant role in geological processes, such as frost weathering, where the expansion of water upon freezing can fracture rocks and damage infrastructure.

Economic and Ecological Importance of Water

Water is a cornerstone of the global economy, with agriculture consuming about 70% of the world's freshwater supply. It is also essential for various industries, serving as a coolant, a heating medium, and a solvent in numerous processes. The fishing industry depends on both freshwater and marine ecosystems to provide a significant portion of the world's dietary protein. Waterborne transportation is vital for the global trade of commodities, including oil, natural gas, and manufactured goods. Additionally, water supports a wide range of recreational activities and sports, such as swimming, boating, snowboarding, and skiing.

Etymology and Historical Significance of Water

The word "water" originates from the Old English "wæter," tracing back to Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European roots, reflecting its longstanding presence in human language. Water's historical importance is profound, shaping the development of civilizations and influencing the natural environment. The study of water, including its origins on Earth and its properties, has been a central theme in scientific research for centuries, highlighting its critical role in understanding planetary history and the evolution of life.

Anomalous Density and Diamagnetism of Water

Water exhibits anomalous density behavior; it expands and becomes less dense upon freezing, which is contrary to most substances. At standard atmospheric pressure, water reaches its maximum density at approximately 4°C (39.2°F). This anomaly causes ice to float on liquid water, providing an insulating layer that helps protect aquatic life in cold climates. Water is also diamagnetic, meaning it is weakly repelled by magnetic fields. This property can be more easily observed when water is subjected to the strong magnetic fields produced by superconducting magnets.

Phase Transitions of Water and the Influence of Pressure

The phase transitions of water, such as melting, boiling, and sublimation, are dependent on atmospheric pressure. At a pressure of one atmosphere (1 atm), pure water freezes at 0°C (32°F) and boils at 100°C (212°F). These transition temperatures vary with changes in pressure, as described by the Clausius-Clapeyron relation. This principle is important for understanding natural phenomena, such as the pressure-induced melting of ice beneath glaciers, which can lead to the formation of subglacial lakes and influence glacial dynamics.