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Water is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula H 2 O.It is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, [c] and nearly colorless chemical substance.It is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms (in which it acts as a solvent [20]).
The percentage of water vapor in surface air varies from 0.01% at -42 °C (-44 °F) [15] to 4.24% when the dew point is 30 °C (86 °F). [16] Over 99% of atmospheric water is in the form of vapour, rather than liquid water or ice, [17] and approximately 99.13% of the water vapour is contained in the troposphere.
The same water in a smaller bucket looks only slightly cyan, [1] and observing the water at close range makes it appear colorless to the naked eye. The intrinsic color of liquid water may be demonstrated by looking at a white light source through a long pipe that is filled with purified water and closed at both ends with a transparent window.
Vapour pressure of water – Pressure exerted by molecules of water vapor in gaseous form; Steam – Water in the gas phase; Ice – Frozen water: the solid state of water; Optical properties of water and ice; Water quality – Assessment against standards for use; Water (data page) – Chemical data page for water; Mineral water – Drinking ...
The gaseous phase of water is known as water vapor (or steam). Visible steam and clouds are formed from minute droplets of water suspended in the air. Water also forms a supercritical fluid. The critical temperature is 647 K and the critical pressure is 22.064 MPa. In nature, this only rarely occurs in extremely hostile conditions.
In liquid form, H 2 O is also called "water" at standard temperature and pressure. Because Earth's environment is relatively close to water's triple point, water exists on Earth as a solid, a liquid, and a gas. It forms precipitation in the form of rain and aerosols in the form of fog. Clouds consist of suspended droplets of water and ice, its ...
Water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface, with seas and oceans making up most of the water volume (about 96.5%). Small portions of water occur as groundwater (1.7%), in the glaciers and the ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland (1.7%), and in the air as vapor, clouds (consisting of ice and liquid water suspended in air), and precipitation ...
Most liquids and aqueous solutions are highly transparent. For example, water, cooking oil, rubbing alcohol, air, and natural gas are all clear. Absence of structural defects (voids, cracks, etc.) and molecular structure of most liquids are chiefly responsible for their excellent optical transmission.