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Unique Properties of Water (H₂O)

• Water has the highest specific heat capacity of all liquids (1 cal/g/deg C)
• Solid water (ice) is less dense than liquid water.
• Water is one of the few inorganic substance that is a liquid at room temperature and 1 atmosphere
• Water has the highest surface tension of all liquids except mercury.
• Water demonstrates strong capillary action.
• Water has the greatest thermal conductivity except for mercury
• Water is the most universal solvent
• Water has a high heat of vaporization and heat of fusion.
• Water is the only molecule with vibrational overtones in the visible region (This is why large bodies of water are blue)
• Water has a pH of 7 and can act as an aci or a base.
• Water exists as a liquid over an important range of temperature from 0 - 100° Celsius. This range allows water to remain as a liquid in most places on the Earth.
• Water is the only substance on Earth that exists as a solid, liquid, and a gas.