Everybody knows that water is a building block of life and without it, life would cease to exist. The first signs of life began in the water and it is water that still contains the world's most ancient life forms-single celled organisms. You've been taught from an early age that most of the planet and most of your body is water. You know that while you can survive for a few weeks without food, you will die within a few days of not having water. You know it is important, but can you answer this question: What is water made of? Sure you know that there are hydrogen and oxygen molecules, but do you really know what water is made up of?
Water is made up of a covalent bond between two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Its chemical formula is H2O. Water is made of a polar molecule that is known by scientists as a dipole. It is called a polar molecule because the electro negativity of oxygen is higher than that of hydrogen and the difference in the charge is called a dipole. It is the interaction between the molecules of the dipole that cause the force of net attraction (which is how the hydrogen and oxygen stick to each other). It is also made up of a hydrogen bond.
A hydrogen bond is a type of bond that exists between an electronegative atom and a hydrogen atom that is already bonded to another electronegative atom. A hydrogen bond is usually stronger than the van der Waals forces but it is not as strong as covalent, metallic or ionic bonds.
Is there anything else that answers the question what is water made of? Sure. Water is more than just a chemical compound; it has many physical properties as well. Here are some of the physical properties that help to answer your question "what is water made up of?"
Water is always in movement. The idea of "still water" is a misnomer as the molecules that make up water cause it to move constantly. It is also the only natural element found on earth that can exist in all three states of being: liquid, solid and gas.
Water's solid form (ice) is not as dense as water's liquid form and this is why ice floats on the top of water.
Water can absorb a lot of heat before it will start to get hot. Its high heat index is what helps to regulate the temperature of the world's air, which is why the seasons change slowly, especially close to the world's oceans.
The surface tension of water is extremely high. It is both elastic and sticky and it is more likely to stick together to form drops than it is to spread out and form a film. It is this surface tension that creates capillary action. Capillary action is how water moves through roots and blood vessels.
At thirty two degrees Fahrenheit, water weighs almost sixty two and a half pounds per cubic foot. At one hundred degrees Fahrenheit, water weighs almost sixty two pounds per cubic foot.
Water is probably one of, if not the most, versatile substances in the universe. It can help create life and it sustains life as well as keeping planets working the way that they should. Water is more than the stuff that comes out of your faucet-it literally keeps you alive! Answering the questions what is water made of and what is water made up of might seem simple, but simple things often carry a great weight.
What is Water Made Of ? Tip #1
Water is a natural appetite suppressant. It is the safest way to keep your appetite down as it will make you feel full and flush itself out of your system through urination and sweat. This isn't to say that you should just drink water all of the time and not eat food if you are trying to lose weight, but drinking water is a way to make your stomach feel more full than it is. |
What is Water Made Of ? Tip #2
All living creatures are made primarily of water. Eighty percent of the human body is made of water. Seventy five percent of the human brain is water. Plants are as much as ninety percent water. Water is what keeps all living organisms alive. |
What is Water Made Of ? Tip #3
The water that is on the planet now is thought to be the water that was on the planet even before the dinosaurs walked around. This is because water is mostly self sustaining. It is also the only element that exists in all three natural states: solid, liquid and gas. |
