Water properties

Water is at once simple and complex. A water molecule is made up of only three atoms — two hydrogen and one oxygen. The configuration of this building block, however, produces a molecule with almost magical properties.

Importance to life 

Water in motion 

Water quality 

Some physical and chemical properties

Water molecules are attached to each other, creating hydrogen bonds. These strong bonds determine almost every physical characteristic of water and many of its chemical properties.

Water is the only substance present in nature in three forms: solid, liquid and gaseous.

Pure water at sea level boils at 100 degrees Celsius and freezes at 0 degrees. At higher elevations, where atmospheric pressure is lower, water's boiling temperature is lower. This effect explains why it takes longer to boil an egg at higher altitudes.

Dissolving a substance in water lowers the water's freezing point, which is why people spread salt on streets in winter to prevent ice formation.

Water is called the universal solvent. It can dissolve more substances than any other solvent. There is hardly a substance known that has not been identified as soluble in the Earth's waters.

Water molecules, as well as binding to each other, bind to many other substances, such as glass, cotton, plant tissue and soil. This is called adhesion.