Water

Want to know fun facts about water? One of the most important chemical compounds, Water, is needed in all the cells, organs, and tissues, be it any form of life. 

It not only helps to regulate the functioning of our body but also maintains the body temperature. 

It is crucial to consistently rehydrate our body with water because our body keeps on losing water through sweating, breathing, and digestion. Thus, our body requires a sufficient amount of water recurrently.

What is Water?

Water (H20) is a colorless, tasteless, transparent, and odorless substance composed of the amalgamation of chemical elements hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2). The fascinating thing about water is its flexibility as it exists in solid, liquid, and gaseous states. Moreover, it is competent in dissolving many other substances effortlessly.  

Considering the fact that water is the second most abundant substance in the universe. Moreover, it constitutes as much as 75% of body weight in infants, while adults’ 55-60% weight is because of water’s presence. water is omnipresent whether we talk about oceans, lakes, seas, or Earth’s groundwater, streams, lagoons, etc. 

Why is Water Essential?

Water is an indispensable compound for all humans and living organisms, even though it does not contain calories and organic nutrients. 

Water is vital to life because it acts as a solvent and a delivery mechanism. The compound dissolves essential nutrients and vitamins from food and delivers them to cells. Plus, the body uses water to aid our metabolism, regulate body temperature, and flush out toxins. 

• Water undoubtedly increases satiety and boosts the metabolic rate of your body. Besides, water holds utmost significance for everyone as it. 
• It helps in reducing weight.
• Improves skin complexion.
• Boosts energy and relieves fatigue.
• Maintains regularity, enhances metabolism, and helps digest your food. 
• It prevents constipation and flushes harmful bacteria from your bladder.
• Normalizes blood pressure.
• Stabilizes the heartbeat.
• Cushion joints.
• Protect organs and tissues. 
• Maintain electrolyte (sodium) balance.  

What are the Properties of Water?

The chemical compound can be classified into 2 types:

• Physical Properties 
• Chemical Properties

1. Physical Properties of Water

I) Boiling and Freezing Points– The boiling point of water, which is 100oC, is the temperature at which the vapor pressure is equal to the pressure surrounding the liquid. This enables the liquid to change its state to vapor. 

The freezing point of water is 0oC or 32oF. At this temperature, the liquid state of water changes to the solid-state (ice), which is the freezing point. 

II) Appearance– The crystal structure of water is hexagonal,  which appears colorless, tasteless, transparent, and odorless. 

III) Viscosity and Cohesion– The viscosity of water is 0.89 CP (centipoise). It is the property of water, making its high resistance to flow. For instance, honey, syrup, and oil are more vicious than normal water as they comprise stronger molecular interactions than normal water, having weaker intermolecular interactions. 

IV) Compressibility– Compressibility of water decreases as the pressure is increased and vice-versa. It basically defines the function of temperature & pressure and the effect on the substance.

For instance, the compressibility of water at 0oC is 5.1X10-10Pa-1. However, it can further be reduced to 4.4X10-10 Pa-1. 

V) Refractive Index– Refractive index describes the time taken by the light to reach the water. The refractive index of water is 1.333 at 20o

VI) Surface Heat capacity– Water has a high surface heat capacity, which is 4.2 joules per gram at 25oC, compared to other common substances. It is due to the extensive hydrogen bonding between the molecules of water. 

VII) Density- The density of water varies with temperature in an unusual pattern.  However, the average density of water is about 1gm/cc. However, it decreases when it is in solid-state (0.9gm/cc). Water becomes less dense when its temperature increases, or you can say when it is in the liquid state. 

VIII) Capillary Action- Plants and trees could not survive without this property as capillary action helps bring water up into their roots and work all the way up to their branches. Not only for plants, but capillary action is also important in our lives as it allows water to move around and ensures its flow consistency.

2. Chemical Properties of Water

Water forms different compounds when it reacts with other substances. Listed below are some reactions:

I) Redox Reactions

Electropositive elements reduce water to hydrogen molecules. 

2H2O(l)+2Na(s)→2NaOH(aq)+H2(g)

II) Amphoteric Nature

Water has the unique quality of acting as an acid and a base. 

H2O(l)+H2S(aq)  ⇌ H3O+(aq)+HS−(aq) – Basic Behavior

H2O(l)+NH3(aq) ⇌ NH+4(aq)+OH−(aq)- Acidic Behavior

III) Hydrolysis Reaction

Water has the ability to dissolve innumerable ionic compounds, which can be hydrolyzed in water. Plus, it has a high dielectric constant, which minimizes the attraction between anions and cations (the two charges). 

Conclusion: 

Now, we are illuminated about all the essentials we should know about water, including its physical and chemical properties, the structure of water molecules, and some other frequently answered questions that are often searched.