What is water and its properties?
Water is a compound of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H2O). It is colorless in its pure form. Its notable properties include high surface tension and the fact that ice is less dense than liquid water, which is why ice floats.
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What is water?
Water is a chemical compound whose molecule has one oxygen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms, written H2O. Pure water is colorless. It exists as a liquid at everyday temperatures, as ice when frozen and as vapor when heated.
What are the properties of water?
- High surface tension. The USGS explains that surface tension comes from cohesion, the attraction between water molecules. Surface molecules have no neighbors above them, so they pull strongly on the molecules beside and below, forming a layer that acts a little like an elastic skin. Apart from mercury, water has the highest surface tension of any liquid. This is why droplets pull into rounded beads and why light objects such as water striders, and even a steel paper clip, can rest on the surface.
- Ice is less dense than liquid water. The USGS says this is why ice floats.
- Soap lowers surface tension. The USGS notes that soaps and detergents reduce it, so water soaks into pores and soiled areas more readily.
Everyday examples
| Property | What you see |
|---|---|
| Surface tension | Soap lowers it, so water soaks into cloth more easily |
| Cohesion | Water forms rounded drops instead of spreading flat |
| Ice floats | Ice cubes sit at the top of a glass |
| Paper clip | A steel paper clip can float if set gently on the surface |
Common mistakes
- Thinking a paper clip floats because it is light. Steel is much denser than water; surface tension holds it up.
- Assuming bottled labels such as spring, mineral and purified mean the same thing; they are defined differently.
This page is general science information. For drinking water safety questions, ask your local water utility or health authority.
People also ask
What is water made of?
Each molecule has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, written H2O.
Why does water have high surface tension?
Water molecules attract each other strongly, and molecules at the surface are pulled inward and sideways, forming a skin-like layer that holds drops together.
Why does ice float?
Ice is less dense than liquid water, so it floats on top.
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