Water Essay: The Properties Of Water

Nixon 1

Mya Nixon

Mr. Semones

English 9

9/11/14

The Properties Of Water There is a molecule used by all living things, even if we don’t think about it. It has the most interesting properties of all molecular compounds. It makes up 70% of the Earth’s surface, 70% of our bodies, and 90% of our brains. Have you guessed what it is yet? This molecule is, indeed, water. Water is fascinating because it is the only compound on Earth that exists in all three stages at once, it is the universal solvent, it has a very high surface tension, and it also has many other unique properties. Water is the only compound on Earth that exists in all three stages at once. It is liquid at room temperature. Water freezes at 32° Fahrenheit (F) and boils at 212°F. This can be translated into a freezing point of 0° Celsius (C) and a boiling point of 100°C (Dummies.com). If water goes from solid to liquid, the opposite of freezing, this is called

This is because of the “cohesive forces” between liquid molecules. Cohesion is when two molecules of the same kind stick to each other. Not to be confused with adhesion, which is when a molecule sticks to a molecule of a different kind. “The molecules at the surface do not have other like molecules on all sides of them and consequently they cohere more strongly to those directly associated with them on the surface,” (hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu). This makes it harder to move objects on the surface than in the water. This is why some bugs are able to walk on water. It is also why raindrops are formed, and why capillary action takes place. Capillary action is when water sticks to surfaces and “climbs.” An example of this is when you use a paper towel to pick up a spill, or when water travels up the roots and then the stem of a plant (hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu). Without surface tension, plants could not drink, and, indirectly, we would die from lack of oxygen. Ever think about