The color of the water. Determination, properties of water

All the theories of the origin of life on Earth are somehow connected with water. She is always with us, more than that, inside us. The most ordinary, simple water included in the tissues of the body, makes every new breath and heart beat possible. In all these processes, it participates due to its unique properties.

What is water: the definition

From the scientific point of view, the main fluid of the planet is hydrogen oxide - a binary inorganic compound. The molecular formula of water, perhaps, is known to all. Each structural element of it consists of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms connected by a polar covalent bond. Under normal conditions, it is in a liquid state, has no taste and smell. In small volumes, simple water without colorless impurities is colorless.

Biological role

Water is the main solvent. It is the nature of the structure of the molecule that makes this definition possible. The properties of water are related to its polarization: each molecule has two poles. The negative is associated with oxygen, and the positive with hydrogen atoms. A water molecule can form so-called hydrogen bonds with particles of other substances, attracting oppositely charged atoms to its "+" and "-". In this case, the substance that becomes a solution must also be polarized. One molecule of it is surrounded by several particles of water. After the transformation, the substance acquires a greater reactivity. As a solvent, water is used by all cells of living organisms. This is one of those properties that determine its biological role.

Three states

Water is known to us in three forms: liquid, solid and gaseous. The first of these aggregate states, as already mentioned, is characteristic of water under ordinary conditions. At normal atmospheric pressure and below 0 ° C, it becomes ice. If the heating of the substance reaches 100 ° C, steam is formed from the liquid.

It should be noted that substances similar in structure under normal conditions are in the gaseous state and have a low boiling point. The reason for the relative stability of water is in hydrogen bonds between molecules. To enter the state of steam, they must be broken. Hydrogen bonds are strong enough, and to destroy them, a large amount of energy is required. Hence the high boiling point.

Surface tension

Thanks to hydrogen bonds for water, high surface tension is characteristic. In this regard, it is second only to mercury. Surface tension occurs at the boundary of two different media and requires the expenditure of a certain amount of energy. The result of this property are interesting effects. In zero gravity, the drop assumes a spherical shape, since the liquid tends to reduce its own surface in order to conserve energy. Similarly, water behaves sometimes on non-wettable materials. An example is a drop of dew on the leaves. Due to the surface tension, water meters and other insects can slide along the surface of the pond.

Insulator or conductor?

In lessons on safety of life, children are often explained that water conducts electricity well. However, this is not quite true. Due to the peculiarities of its structure, pure water is poorly dissociated and does not conduct current. That is, in fact, it is an isolator. At the same time, under normal conditions, it is practically impossible to meet so pure water, because it dissolves many substances. And thanks to numerous impurities, the liquid becomes a conductor. Moreover, the ability to conduct electricity can determine how much water is clean.

Refraction and Absorption

Another property of water, known from school to everyone, is the ability to refract light rays. Passing through the liquid, the light slightly changes its direction. With this effect, the formation of a rainbow is associated. Also, the refraction of light and our perception of it are the basis of errors in determining the depth of water bodies: it always seems smaller than it actually is.

However, the light of the visible part of the spectrum is refracted. And, for example, infrared rays are absorbed by water. That is why there is a greenhouse effect. In order to understand the latent possibilities of water in this sense, one can turn to the characteristics of the atmosphere on Venus. According to one version of the greenhouse effect on this planet led to the evaporation of water.

Color of water

Everyone who saw the sea or any freshwater body and compared it to the liquid in a glass, noticed a certain discrepancy. The color of water in a natural or artificial pond never coincides with what is observed in the cup. In the first case, it is blue, blue, even greenish-yellow, in the second it is simply absent. So what color is water really?

It turns out that the pure liquid is not colorless. It has a light bluish tinge. The color of the water is so pale that it seems absolutely transparent in small volumes. However, in natural conditions, it appears in all its glory. Moreover, numerous impurities, like in the case of electricity, change the properties of water. Everyone met at least once a green pond or brown puddles.

Color of water and life

The color of the reservoir often depends on the microorganisms actively multiplying in it, the impurities of rocks. The greenish color of the water often indicates the presence of small algae. In the sea areas, painted in such a shade, as a rule, abound in living creatures. Therefore, fishermen always pay attention to what color the water is. Pure blue waters are poor in plankton, and hence in those who feed on it.

Sometimes microorganisms give the most bizarre shades. There are well-known lakes with chocolate in color water. The activity of unicellular algae and bacteria made a turquoise reservoir on the island of Flores in Indonesia.

In Switzerland, on the Sanetsch Pass, there is a lake with bright pink water. A slightly pale shade has a pond in Senegal.

Multicolored miracle

A striking sight appears before tourists in America, in the Yellowstone National Park. Here is the lake Morning Glory. Its waters have the purest blue color. The reason for this shade is all the same bacteria. Yellowstone is famous for its numerous geysers and hot springs. At the bottom of the Morning Glory lake there is a narrow vent of the volcano. The heat rising from there and maintaining the water temperature, as well as the development of bacteria. Once upon a time, the whole lake was crystal blue. However, over time, the volcano's muzzle was clogged, and the tourists helped to throw coins and other garbage with their love. As a result, the surface temperature decreased, other types of bacteria began to multiply here. Today, the color of water changes with depth. At the bottom of the lake is still a deep blue.

Several billion years ago, water contributed to the emergence of life on Earth. Since then, its importance has not diminished. Water is necessary for a whole series of chemical reactions taking place at the cellular level, it is a part of all tissues and organs. The world ocean covers about 71% of the planet's surface and plays a huge role in maintaining the stability of the state of such a giant system as the Earth. The physical and chemical properties of water allow us to call it the main substance for all living things. The reservoirs, being the habitat of multicellular microorganisms, in addition, become a source of beauty and inspiration, demonstrate the enormous creative abilities of nature.