Changes

[[Image:Water.png|thumb|right|200px|A model of a water molecule. The red spheres represent hydrogen, and the green sphere represents oxygen]]

[[Image:Water.png|thumb|right|200px|A model of a water molecule. The red spheres represent hydrogen, and the green sphere represents oxygen]]

[[Water]] is one of the the most important [[chemical]] compounds because no living creature can survive without it. More than half of the weight of most organisms is due to water. <ref>"... a high fraction of the make up of an organism (50%) usually consists simply of liquid water" [http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:xD25WXmL1egJ:www.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/~sabedon/biol1015.htm+water+organisms+mass&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us&lr=lang_en Stephen T. Abedon, Ph.D.], Ohio State University</ref>

[[Water]] is one of the the most important [[chemical]] compounds because no living creature can survive without it. More than half of the weight of most organisms is water. <ref>"... a high fraction of the make up of an organism (50%) usually consists simply of liquid water" [http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:xD25WXmL1egJ:www.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/~sabedon/biol1015.htm+water+organisms+mass&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us&lr=lang_en Stephen T. Abedon, Ph.D.], Ohio State University</ref>

Water is an odorless, tasteless, colorless [[liquid]]. When people describe the [[flavor]] of water they are referring to impurities found in it (see [[mineral water]], [[bottled water]]).  

Water is an odorless, tasteless, colorless [[liquid]]. When people describe the [[flavor]] of water they are referring to impurities found in it (see [[mineral water]], [[bottled water]]).  

*The normal boiling point of water is 212 degrees Fahrenheit (gaseous state).

*The normal boiling point of water is 212 degrees Fahrenheit (gaseous state).

*The normal melting point of water if 32 degrees Fahrenheit (liquid state).

*The normal melting point of water is 32 degrees Fahrenheit (liquid state).

*Below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, water is normally in the solid state.

*Below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, water is normally in the solid state.

The shape of the water [[molecule]] is a shallow V, with the oxygen in the middle and having an angle of approximately 105°. The interactions between the atoms result in the oxygen atom having a partly negative charge and the hydrogen atoms having a partly positive charge. Thus the water molecule is a strong electrical [[dipole]], which accounts for some of its properties.  

The shape of the water [[molecule]] is a shallow V, with the oxygen in the middle and having an angle of approximately 105°. The interactions between the atoms result in the oxygen atom having a partly negative charge and the hydrogen atoms having a partly positive charge. Thus the water molecule is a strong electrical [[dipole]], which accounts for some of its properties.  

Although we are accustomed to think of the word "solvent" in connection with [[organic]] solvents like gasoline or benzene, water is a powerful solvent, a fact that is sometimes overlooked because water is so familiar.

Although we are accustomed to think of the word "solvent" in connection with [[organic]] solvents like gasoline or benzene, water is a powerful solvent for many compounds, a fact that is sometimes overlooked because water is so familiar.

Water, compared to other compounds, has a number of unusual properties, such as expanding rather than contracting when it freezes. As noted by Lawrence Henderson in his 1913 book, ''The Fitness of the Environment,'' its ability to support life is directly related to some of these unusual properties.

Water, compared to other compounds, has a number of unusual properties, such as expanding rather than contracting when it freezes. As noted by Lawrence Henderson in his 1913 book, ''The Fitness of the Environment,'' its ability to support life is directly related to some of these unusual properties.

====Saltwater====

====Saltwater====

Saltwater is water with significant amounts of salt in it. It can exist in oceans and lakes. Saltwater from the ocean has many different minerals and is unsafe for drinking, unless the water is treated by desalination (saltwater with ordinary table salt can be consumed in small amounts).  Saltwater is known for its healing properties, with gargling of saltwater commonly used to treat sore throats.

Saltwater is water with significant amounts of salt in it. It exists in oceans and lakes. Saltwater from the ocean has many different minerals and cannot be drunk, unless the water is desalinated and the salt removed(saltwater with ordinary table salt can be consumed in small amounts).  Saltwater is known for its healing properties, with gargling of saltwater commonly used to treat sore throats.

   

   

==See also==

==See also==