On which atoms is the water molecule divided? Formula, chemical reactions

Water is the main condition of life on Earth. The Earth's surface consists of more than two-thirds of the oceans, seas, rivers and lakes. The volume of water in the world's oceans is ten times that of the entire land.

Earth is an island in the oceans

Our planet can be considered an ocean in which the continents are actually only huge islands, it is because of this from the near-earth orbit that the Earth seems green-blue, to the color of the ocean.

Every living creature on our planet consists of water, for example, a jellyfish contains 95% of it, and the human body contains 65% of water. The lack of this substance in just 1% of the body weight causes a feeling of thirst. If the body loses 10% of moisture, it can lead to its death. Almost all chemical reactions occur in the aquatic environment. Evaporation, water regulates the temperature of the inhabitants of the land. If a person did not sweat, after an hour of hard work, the temperature of his body would have increased to 46 ° C.

Dynamics of water

The water environment is in constant motion: it evaporates from open water bodies, gathers in clouds, falls out in the form of rain or snow, and then flows into the sea by streams, rivers and streams. Moisture seeps into the ground, accumulates and again comes to the surface, where it replenishes water. Most of the water exists in the form of vapors in the atmosphere, in the solid state - in the form of huge layers of snow and ice floes in the mountains, and in the polar regions. Approximately twentieth part of rainwater is used directly by living organisms. Natural water is not absolutely clean, the rain is considered to be as pure as possible, but it also contains some impurities trapped from the air.

The figure shows what atoms the water molecule consists of and how it is divided by its nature.

Structure of water

To which atoms the water molecule is divided - any schoolboy knows in our time.
Each molecule of this substance is built from one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. This is a structure of three elements, as if pressed against each other. In the middle of the oxygen atom (chemical symbol - O), on both sides are placed two hydrogen atoms (H) - these are the atoms into which the water molecules are divided.

Near the oxygen atom negative charges are formed, and around the hydrogen atoms - positive. Knowing which atoms the water molecule shares, physics determines that its molecule is a dipole. This explains all of its physical properties. The distances between the nuclei of the O, H atoms are about 0.1 nm, and between the hydrogen atoms - about 0.15 nm.

In fact, water is hydrogen oxide, the main substance on Earth. In 1783, the famous chemist Lavoisier first extracted hydrogen from water, than he showed to which atoms the water molecule is divided (the formula is H ₂ O). Hence, its molecular weight is 18 g / mol, consisting of the sum of oxygen and hydrogen present in the molecule. The structural formula shows which atoms the water molecule is divided into.

Physics about water

Water is a liquid that has no smell, no taste, no color, with the following properties:

• Density of water - 1 g / cm ³ ;
• Degree of freezing - 0 ^о С (ice);
• The degree of boiling is 100 ^о С (steam).

On which atoms the water molecule in physics is divided, it is possible to look at the following figure.

Upon boiling, the hydrogen bonds break, and the liquid passes into the vapor state. With a decrease in temperature from 100 ° C to 3.98 ° C, its volume is constantly decreasing. But with the further passage of the lower boundary, the reverse process occurs. Part of the water volume at 3.98 ° C has a greater mass than at 0 ° C, because of this, ice and holds on its surface.

In addition, water has the greatest surface tension in comparison with other liquid substances, excluding mercury. Under the surface, water molecules have a strong attraction between themselves. But these molecules do not attract molecules of air above them, they are attracted only to each other. This surface tension creates a film effect on the water.

This property is used by some insects, able to walk on the surface, not submerging. Their bodies are very light, and surface tension does not allow them to fall under the water. The formation of ice icicles is also due to this property of water and attraction between its molecules. When the liquid turns into vapor, that is, a gaseous substance, the surface tension disappears.

Chemical properties of water

Water is a fairly reactionary substance. Its chemical properties depend on the atoms on which the water molecule is divided. The liquid decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen under the influence of an electric current. There is a reaction in which it acts as both an oxidizer and a reducing agent. The water molecule is like a very strong atomic magnet and can communicate with virtually anything that can join. Under its action hydrolysis of salts is observed to produce a weak electrolyte.

Water reacts with most basic oxides. Reacts with many metals, for example, with sodium, potassium and with heating with iron, while there is a release of hydrogen:

2Na + 2H2O = H2 + 2NaOH;
2K + 2H2O = H ₂ + 2KOH;
3Fe + 4H2O = 4H2 + Fe3O4.

Non-metals are not as active as metals, but they still interact with water under strong heating:

C + H ₂ O = H ₂ + CO;

CH ₄ + 2H ₂ O = 4H ₂ + CO ₂ .

Interacts with many nonmetallic oxides. In this case, the reactions of the compound take place, forming acids.
It is obtained by burning hydrogen in oxygen with the formation of water vapor:

2H ₂ + O ₂ = 2H ₂ O,

And this reaction occurs instantaneously at a temperature of 700 ° C.

Principle of dissolution in water

In the aquatic environment, many substances, different in aggregate state, can dissolve. They are divided into the following types:

• Soluble;
• Poorly soluble;
• Almost insoluble.

What is the principle of dissolution? Considering the atoms on which the water molecule is divided, its ability to attract molecules of different substances can be explained. When interacting with it, salt ions will be attracted by charged ions of the water molecule. At the same time, heat is released or absorbed. The ions dissolved in water retain a certain number of water molecules, forming a hydrated shell. Ions become hydrated, and such crystals are called crystalline hydrates.

Functionality of water

The functions of the water substance in the life of the inhabitants of our planet can not be overestimated, because all living things are not only made up of it, but also constantly maintain their existence only thanks to this substance.

1. Metabolism. Water acts as a polar solvent, the best medium for all reactions occurring in a living organism. Substances that can dissolve in it are called hydrophilic, and insoluble - hydrophobic.
2. Transport. Internal molecules of the cell constantly move from one cell to another. Water is the most important transfer in the internal environment of any organisms.
3. Thermoregulation. Water evenly distributes heat and cold, regulating the temperature inside the body, for example, causing sweating in animals, thereby cooling the body.
4. The biological value of water lies in the fact that it participates in many chemical reactions of the body.
5. Mechanical function. The property of water does not shrink much to preserve the shape of organs and tissues.

Unusual water properties

There is no substance on Earth that is more significant for all living things than simple water. Variable density, high heat capacity and large surface tension, its memory capacity are all abnormal properties of a substance such as water. Observations and experiments prove that the water substance has the ability to absorb the properties of materials that once dissolved in it, and store these properties, even after the complete removal of these materials. This is the basis of the basic principles of homeopathic medicine. And another undeniable and at the same time inexplicable fact from the point of view of science is the unique healing properties of the Epiphany water, which contains enormous energy. All these puzzles still have to be solved by modern and future scientists.