Hydrosphere Contents

2. Properties Of Water

Water has distinctive chemical and physical properties

The water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms attached to a single oxygen atom. Although liquid water is common, it has unusual properties due to this hydrogen bonding. Its boiling point, density changes and heat capacity are all unexpected in comparison with similar chemical compounds. Liquid methane, for example, has a similar structure and mass but reaches boiling point at -161°C and freezing point at -182.6°C.

What atoms does a water molecule comprise of?