Water
(→= Dyhydrogen monoxide) |
(→Dyhydrogen monoxide) |
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==Dyhydrogen monoxide== | ==Dyhydrogen monoxide== | ||
| − | Dyhydrogen monoxide is an alternative name for water | + | Dyhydrogen monoxide is an alternative name for water. the use of technical jargon lends an air of danger to an everyday substance. A range of harmful effects which water actually can have are described and people are asked to ban Dyhydrogen monoxide. Those who fail to see through it are called gullible. |
<ref>http://www.snopes.com/science/dhmo.asp</ref> | <ref>http://www.snopes.com/science/dhmo.asp</ref> | ||
Revision as of 14:35, 19 January 2011
Water (H2O) is a chemical compound. Each molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom sharing covalent bonds.
Water is an excellent solvent and it is often referred to as the "universal solvent". The water molecule's structure is responsible for this, since the electrons are unevenly distributed throughout the molecule. One end of the molecule with greater electron density is slightly negative and the other slightly positive.
Water and related compounds are said to be "polar" and, in a sense, behave like a magnet. Water generally dissolves other substances that are also polar.
Non-polar substances, like oil, will not dissolve in water. Water's polar nature explains many of its properties, like its (relatively) high melting and boiling points, high surface tension, and that it expands while freezing.
Non-polar substances can be made to be soluble in water by using detergents (also called surfactants) that are large molecules with a polar end and a non-polar end. The polar end is attracted to water molecules and the non-polar end to the non-polar greasy substances.[1]
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Water and life
Many exobiologists consider the presence of liquid water to be a necessary condition for the development of life. While this is a bit earth-centric, it is quite likely true for chemical life as we are familiar with it.
Water on earth
On earth, water exists naturally in all three states, as ice, liquid water, and water vapor. The water cycle drives most of our weather, by transporting large amounts of energy received from the sun into the atmosphere, where it can then move from place to place, often forming large cyclonic patterns due to the earth's rotation.
Water and "earth"
Had we seen our planet from space in olden days, we would have called it "Water", not "Earth".
Dyhydrogen monoxide
Dyhydrogen monoxide is an alternative name for water. the use of technical jargon lends an air of danger to an everyday substance. A range of harmful effects which water actually can have are described and people are asked to ban Dyhydrogen monoxide. Those who fail to see through it are called gullible.
See also
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For those of you in the mood, RationalWiki has a fun article about Water. |