Yes, of course the most obvious fact about water is that it is wet, at least in the liquid state. But, there are many more facts about water that make it a most fascinating substance, one that all life on and in the Earth depends on.
• Water Science School HOME • Water Basics topics • Water Properties topics •
Water numbers
Some of water's physical properties:
- Weight: 62.416 pounds/cubic foot at 32°F; 1,000 kilograms/cubic meter
- Weight: 61.998 pounds/cubic foot at 100°F; 993 kilograms/cubic meter
- Weight: 8.33 pounds/gallon; 1 kilogram/liter
- Density: 1 gram/cubic centimeter (cc) at 39.2°F, 0.95865 gram/cc at 212°F
Some water volume comparisons:
- 1 gallon = 4 quarts = 8 pints = 128 fluid ounces = 3.7854 liters
- 1 liter = 0.2642 gallons = 1.0568 quart
- 1 million gallons = 3.069 acre-feet = 133,685.64 cubic feet
Flow rates:
- 1 cubic foot/second (cfs) = 449 gallons/minute = 0.646 million gallons/day = 1.98 acre-feet/day
Water facts
Water is called the "universal solvent" because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid. This means that wherever water goes, either through the ground or through our bodies, it takes along valuable chemicals, minerals, and nutrients.
Pure water has a neutral pH of 7, which is neither acidic (less than 7) nor basic (greater than 7).
The water molecule is highly cohesive — it is very sticky, meaning water molecules stick to each other. Water is the most cohesive among the non-metallic liquids.
Water molecules are also adhesive in that they stick to other surfaces. Both cohesion and adhesion make water molecules very sticky!
Pure water, which you won't ever find in the natural environment, does not conduct electricity. Water becomes a conductor once it starts dissolving substances around it.
Water has a high heat index—it absorbs a lot of heat before it begins to get hot. This is why water is valuable to industries and in your car's radiator as a coolant. The high heat index of water also helps regulate the rate at which air changes temperature, which is why the temperature change between seasons is gradual rather than sudden, especially near the oceans.
Water has a very high surface tension. In other words, water is sticky and elastic, and tends to clump together in drops rather than spread out in a thin film, like rubbing alcohol. Surface tension is responsible for capillary action, which allows water (and its dissolved substances) to move through the roots of plants and through the tiny blood vessels in our bodies.
Air pressure affects the boiling point of water, which is why it takes longer to boil an egg at Denver, Colorado than at the beach. The higher the altitude, the lower the air pressure, the lower the boiling point of water, and thus, the longer time to hard-boil an egg. At sea level water boils at 212°F (100°C), while at 5,000 feet, water boils at 202.9°F (94.9 °C).
Other science topics related to water properties.
Water Properties Information by Topic
pH and Water
Water Properties Questions & Answers
Surface Tension and Water
Teacher's Resources for Water Education
The USGS Water Science School offers many resources to help teach students all about water.
Water Properties Photo Gallery
Water, the Universal Solvent
Conductivity (Electrical Conductance) and Water
Specific Heat Capacity and Water
Water Density
Capillary Action and Water
Adhesion and Cohesion of Water
- Overview
Yes, of course the most obvious fact about water is that it is wet, at least in the liquid state. But, there are many more facts about water that make it a most fascinating substance, one that all life on and in the Earth depends on.
• Water Science School HOME • Water Basics topics • Water Properties topics •
Water numbers
Some of water's physical properties:
- Weight: 62.416 pounds/cubic foot at 32°F; 1,000 kilograms/cubic meter
- Weight: 61.998 pounds/cubic foot at 100°F; 993 kilograms/cubic meter
- Weight: 8.33 pounds/gallon; 1 kilogram/liter
- Density: 1 gram/cubic centimeter (cc) at 39.2°F, 0.95865 gram/cc at 212°F
Some water volume comparisons:
- 1 gallon = 4 quarts = 8 pints = 128 fluid ounces = 3.7854 liters
- 1 liter = 0.2642 gallons = 1.0568 quart
- 1 million gallons = 3.069 acre-feet = 133,685.64 cubic feet
Flow rates:
- 1 cubic foot/second (cfs) = 449 gallons/minute = 0.646 million gallons/day = 1.98 acre-feet/day
Water facts
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Water is called the "universal solvent" because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid. This means that wherever water goes, either through the ground or through our bodies, it takes along valuable chemicals, minerals, and nutrients.
Pure water has a neutral pH of 7, which is neither acidic (less than 7) nor basic (greater than 7).
The water molecule is highly cohesive — it is very sticky, meaning water molecules stick to each other. Water is the most cohesive among the non-metallic liquids.
Water molecules are also adhesive in that they stick to other surfaces. Both cohesion and adhesion make water molecules very sticky!
Pure water, which you won't ever find in the natural environment, does not conduct electricity. Water becomes a conductor once it starts dissolving substances around it.
Water has a high heat index—it absorbs a lot of heat before it begins to get hot. This is why water is valuable to industries and in your car's radiator as a coolant. The high heat index of water also helps regulate the rate at which air changes temperature, which is why the temperature change between seasons is gradual rather than sudden, especially near the oceans.
Water has a very high surface tension. In other words, water is sticky and elastic, and tends to clump together in drops rather than spread out in a thin film, like rubbing alcohol. Surface tension is responsible for capillary action, which allows water (and its dissolved substances) to move through the roots of plants and through the tiny blood vessels in our bodies.
Air pressure affects the boiling point of water, which is why it takes longer to boil an egg at Denver, Colorado than at the beach. The higher the altitude, the lower the air pressure, the lower the boiling point of water, and thus, the longer time to hard-boil an egg. At sea level water boils at 212°F (100°C), while at 5,000 feet, water boils at 202.9°F (94.9 °C).
- Science
Other science topics related to water properties.
Water Properties Information by Topic
Looking at water, you might think that it's the most simple thing around. Pure water is practically colorless, odorless, and tasteless. But it's not at all simple and plain and it is vital for all life on Earth. Where there is water there is life, and where water is scarce, life has to struggle or just "throw in the towel." Continue on to learn about dozens of water properties.pH and Water
pH is a measure of how acidic/basic water is. The range goes from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. pHs of less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates a base. The pH of water is a very important measurement concerning water quality.Water Properties Questions & Answers
Water is everywhere, from huge oceans to invisible water molecules making up water vapor in the air. Of course you can see and feel the physical properties of water, but there are also many chemical, electrical, and atomic-scale properties of water that affect all life and substances on Earth.Surface Tension and Water
Surface tension in water might be good at performing tricks, such as being able to float a paper clip on its surface, but surface tension performs many more duties that are vitally important to the environment and people. Find out all about surface tension and water here.Teacher's Resources for Water Education
The USGS Water Science School offers many resources to help teach students all about water.
Water Properties Photo Gallery
Learn about water's properties using pictures.Water, the Universal Solvent
We need to take the statement "Water is the universal solvent" with a grain of salt (pun intended). Of course it cannot dissolve everything, but it does dissolve more substances than any other liquid, so the term fits pretty well. Water's solvent properties affect all life on Earth, so water is universally important to all of us.Conductivity (Electrical Conductance) and Water
Water and electricity don't mix, right? Well actually, pure water is an excellent insulator and does not conduct electricity. The thing is, you won't find any pure water in nature, so don't mix electricity and water. Our Water Science School page will give you all the details.Specific Heat Capacity and Water
Water has a high specific heat capacity—it absorbs a lot of heat before it begins to get hot. You may not know how that affects you, but the specific heat of water has a huge role to play in the Earth's climate and helps determine the habitability of many places around the globe.Water Density
In practical terms, density is the weight of a substance for a specific volume. The density of water is roughly 1 gram per milliliter but, this changes with temperature or if there are substances dissolved in it. Ice is less dense than liquid water which is why your ice cubes float in your glass. As you might expect, water density is an important water measurement.Capillary Action and Water
Plants and trees couldn't thrive without capillary action. Capillary action helps bring water up into the roots. With the help of adhesion and cohesion, water can work it's way all the way up to the branches and leaves. Read on to learn more about how this movement of water takes place.Adhesion and Cohesion of Water
Adhesion and cohesion are important water properties that affects how water works everywhere, from plant leaves to your own body. Just remember... Cohesion: Water is attracted to water, and Adhesion: Water is attracted to other substances.