“Water: The Universal Solvent Sustaining Life, Balancing Climate, and Powering Nature’s Most Vital Biological Processes”
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1. Universal Solvent
Water dissolves salts, sugars, acids, alkalis, gases, and many organic compounds.
This is because of its polar nature (slightly positive hydrogen, slightly negative oxygen).
Example: In our body, nutrients and minerals dissolve in water for easy transport through blood.
2. Colorless, Tasteless, and Odorless
Pure water is transparent, without any smell or taste.
However, dissolved minerals (like calcium, iron, sulfur) give water slight taste or smell.
Example: Tap water tastes different from bottled water because of minerals.
3. High Heat Capacity
Water absorbs a lot of heat without rising much in temperature.
This property helps regulate climate (oceans keep Earth’s temperature balanced).
Example: Our body temperature stays stable because water absorbs heat from metabolic reactions.
4. Exists in Three States
Solid (Ice): at 0°C and below.
Liquid (Water): between 0°C and 100°C.
Gas (Steam/Water Vapor): above 100°C (at normal pressure).
Example: Snow, rivers, and clouds are natural examples of water’s three states.
5. High Surface Tension
Water molecules attract each other strongly (cohesion).
This forms a “skin” on the surface.
Example: Small insects like water striders can walk on ponds without sinking.
6. Density Anomaly (Ice Floats on Water)
Most substances are denser in solid form, but ice is lighter than liquid water.
This is because water expands when frozen (hydrogen bonds spread out).
Example: Icebergs float in the sea, protecting marine life by keeping water below from freezing solid.
7. Transparency
Water lets sunlight pass through.
This allows aquatic plants to do photosynthesis underwater.
Example: Seaweed, corals, and algae survive because light penetrates clear water.
8. Neutral pH (7)
Pure water is neither acidic nor alkaline.
But dissolved gases or salts can change pH (e.g., rainwater is slightly acidic due to CO₂).
Example: Blood (pH 7.4) depends on water’s neutrality to maintain balance.
9. Capillary Action
Water rises in thin tubes against gravity because of adhesion (water to surface) and cohesion (water to water).
Example: Plants absorb water from soil through roots → stems → leaves, keeping them alive.
10. Essential for Life
70% of our body is water.
Functions: carries nutrients, removes waste, regulates temperature, lubricates joints,
protects organs.
Example: Without water, humans can survive only 3–5 days.
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