Q. What are the properties of water?

Ans.

Water is a colorless, odorless, tasteless liquid with a melting and freezing point of 0^oC and a boiling point of 100^oC at 1 atm pressure. Many of water's properties are due to water's structure:

Water has a very high specific heat compared to other substances. Therefore, it can absorb a lot of energy before its temperature rises.

Liquid water is an extraordinary solvent for ionic and polar substances since it is a polar substance itself.

Ice is less dense than water and will float in liquid water. This is an exception to the rule that most liquids will contract in volume when they solidify.

The maximum density of water is 1 g/mL at 4 ^oC. Water has the unusual property of contracting in volume as it is cooled to 4 ^oC, and then expanding when cooled from 4 ^oC to 0 ^oC.