Water is a chemical substance which is made up of 2
hydrogen (H) atoms and a single oxygen (O) atom with the chemical formula H20.By
the virtue of constituting about 70% of the human body weight, it is easily the
most abundant substance in the body. Some of the interesting facts about the
properties of water are:
- The polar structure of water results in an unequal or asymmetric distribution of charge on its constituent atoms resulting in electro negativity difference between O and H.
- The electrostatic attraction between the O atom of one H20 molecule and the H atom of another nearby H20 molecule culminates in the formation of a hydrogen bond.
- The adhesion property of water is due to its polar nature.
- The cohesive nature of liquid water is a direct consequence of a network of these H-bonds.
- Specific heat of water and Heat of vaporization of water is 4.2 joules/gm and 2260 joules/gm. respectively.
- There are 3 physical states of water: solid, liquid and gas.
- Water has the 2nd best heat conduction capability after mercury because of which lakes and ocean have almost same surface temperature.
- By having the unique property to dissolve different types of substances, it is referred to as the universal solvent.
- Every pull force is countered by a push force beneath the surface of the water. But at the surface, every 'down' pull does not have a counter 'up' pull which creates the phenomenon of surface tension.
- The ability of several insects to walk on water is as a result of surface tension.
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