Usually, when solids form, atoms get closer together to form something denser. This is why most solids sink in water. But solid water, or ice, is actually less dense. This is unusual. The water molecules form rings when water freezes. All that space makes ice less dense. This is why it floats. This is great […]
In a gallon of average ocean water, there is about 1 cup of salt. But it does vary. The Atlantic Ocean is saltier than the Pacific Ocean, for instance. Most of the salt in the ocean is the same kind of salt we put on our food: sodium chloride. The saltiest water in the world […]
We experience water in all three states: solid ice, liquid water, and gas water vapor. That’s actually pretty unusual. While all substances can be solid, liquid, or gas, a lot of them only change states at extreme temperatures. You probably don’t see liquid silver or solid oxygen very much because their melting points and freezing […]
Just 3.5 percent of Earth’s water is fresh—that is, with few salts in it. You can find Earth’s freshwater in our lakes, rivers, and streams, but don’t forget groundwater and glaciers. Over 68 percent of Earth’s freshwater is locked up in ice and glaciers. And another 30 percent is in groundwater. Lorem ipsum dolor sit […]
There is the same amount of water on Earth as there was when the Earth was formed. The water from your faucet could contain molecules that dinosaurs drank. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed maximus mollis malesuada. Sed suscipit, tortor nec sollicitudin tincidunt, massa ipsum vestibulum dui, ut mattis nisl nibh sit […]
Water expands by 9% when it freezes. Frozen water (ice) is lighter than water, which is why ice floats in water. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed maximus mollis malesuada. Sed suscipit, tortor nec sollicitudin tincidunt, massa ipsum vestibulum dui, ut mattis nisl nibh sit amet nibh. Etiam malesuada neque vel elit […]
The average total home water use for each person in the U.S. is about 50 gallons a day. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed maximus mollis malesuada. Sed suscipit, tortor nec sollicitudin tincidunt, massa ipsum vestibulum dui, ut mattis nisl nibh sit amet nibh. Etiam malesuada neque vel elit auctor hendrerit. Suspendisse ultricies […]
Nearly 97% of the world’s water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just 1% for all of humanity’s needs — all its agricultural, residential, manufacturing, community, and personal needs. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed maximus mollis malesuada. Sed suscipit, tortor nec […]
Water has an interesting characteristic. It’s sort of “sticky.” It likes to stick to itself and other things. That’s why water forms round droplets. Not all liquids do that. This “stickiness” helps get water from the roots of plants up to the leaves. Water molecules travel up thin straws called xylem in the plant by […]