Furthermore, it is important to know that water consists of one oxygen atom and the hydrogen atoms and has the general formula of H2O. The oxygen atom bears a negative charge, whereas the hydrogen atoms are of a positive charge attracting the molecules to each other.
When an oxygen atom is linked to a neighbouring hydrogen atom, the “hydrogen bond” is being formed. A hydrogen bond being formed with other polar substances, molecules of a different substance, is called adhesion. The attraction between molecules of similar substances is called cohesion.
In order to break these “hydrogen bonds” down again, heat needs to be applied. With this heat, kinetic energy is added to the water compound, helping the particles vibrate. At a certain temperature point i.e. evaporation, the kinetic energy supplied is strong enough to break bonds and a change of state is experienced.
However, it is important to acknowledge the relative strength displayed by the bonds of water molecules, trying to resist changes in state i.e. solidification and evaporation (0˚ and a 100˚C respectively).
When water evaporates, it creates a so called cooling effect, since it draws heat energy out of the material underneath. Water also has a high latent heat of fusion. What does that mean? Well, it just means that water at 0˚C must lose alot of heat energy first, befor it can start to freeze and form ice crystals. Other molecules that are of the same size usually have a boiling point of -75˚C and a freezing point of -125˚C. If water was to follow other examples, it would mean that, on earth, it would be a gas at all times and life on earth would not be possible.
Apart from being able to change its state, water has many further unique properties. For instance, water is also very resistible to temperature changes. That basically means that it needs to gain a lot of heat energy in order to raise its temperature, and needs to lose a lot of heat energy in order to lower its temperature. It also means that water needs a lot of heat energy for evaporation to take place and for it to be able to change from a liquid into a gas.
It is also of no colour, or transparent. This enables sunlight to reach aquatic plants, and although these are being surrounded by massive amounts of water, they are still able to photosynthesise.
On top it is a universal solvent and therefore dissolves more substances than any other common solvent. This is why when a crystal of salt is dropped into a glass of water, the water begins to surround the sodium and chloride atoms in the salt in what is called a hydration sphere. The atoms interact with the water molecule and leave the surface of the salt crystal, until the entire crystal is dissolved. This has two effects: the salt is dissolved and the water molecules are disturbed. When the water molecules are altered in this fashion they can no longer take part in the formation of ice crystals. This is why oceans, which contain a lot of salt, resist freezing.
What can I say other than water is just amazing! As mentioned further up in this essay, water molecules can form hydrogen bonds with other substances. These can give water considerable cohesive properties. Thus water molecules stick together and also stick to other surfaces, such as the sides of a container. Basically another one of waters unique properties is that it is sticky.
Other important physical properties of water include that it has a relatively high density compared with air. It is hard to compress, and it conducts electricity. This is why you should never take any electric appliances into the bath with you, hear me?!
Overall, it is apparent that water is the most important substance ever to have been
discovered because it is so vital to our race. Its unique properties aid all living things to
survive in the scheme of nature on our planet Earth.
