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Phases |
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Water has many interesting characteristis, but there is one that is extremely unique. Water is the only substance in the world that exists in all three of its phases in the natural world. Water can be found just about anywhere, ice of snow can be found where it is very cold, and lastly, steam can often be found rising off a warm pond or river on a particularly cold day. This makes water unique. |
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Liquid water |
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| Water is the elixir of life. It is vital to all living things. Water, in it's liquid state, is the most commonly found substance on this planet. About 75% of Earth's surface is covered with water. Pure water is always colorless, tastless, and odorless. It has specific features except for the fact that it is wet. Without water there would be no life earth. It is essntial to all living things. Pure water has a density of one gram per milimeter. In fact, scientists based the density scale around water, having it start with one. |
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Solid water |
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Water, in it's solid state, is more commonly known as ice or snow. It is found in places that consist of temperatures less than 32 degrees F (32 degrees being waters freezing point). Well thats not entirely true, because you can take an ice cube and put it in the sun, but my point is that it will melt relatively quickly. The ice will stay frozen if it is kept in a cold place. Wha't interesting about ice is that it has a lower density than water. As the water freezes, it expands, which causes it to become less dense. This why ice floats when it is combined with water. The two icebergs at left are just sitting there floating in the water. As a side note, icebergs hold about 75% of the Earths freshwater, and if all of them were to melt, all the seas would rise 230 feet. The solid state of water is achieved when it is below 32 degrees C. The density of ice is 0.92 grams per mililiter. |
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Gas of Water |
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You probably don't wake up everyday thinking that you see liquid. Usually you really have to look for it. However, you probably see it every day in the sky. What do you think clouds are made of? Well of course they are made with more than just water, but most of it water in it's gaseous phase. They are water vapor. Water vapor is generated through the a process called evaporation. When the water gets hot, some of the water molecules are released through the surface of the water. It can also be generated by boiling water. This state is achieved when water molecules are greater than 212 degrees C. |
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