Why is water a unique substance?

Answer 1

Every substance is unique, for one reason or another. One not-quite-unique, but rare property of water is that, below 4 degrees C, its density decreases as its temperature decreases, and its density increases as its temperature increases. For most substances, across all temperature ranges, density decreases as temperature increases. If you've ever left a can of cola in the freezer too long, and it exploded, it is because the water (the vast majority of the total volume in the can) expands (volume increases as density decreases) as it freezes. The increased volume is more than the can can contain, so the can explodes, and you get frozen cola all over the inside of your freezer, plus a razor-sharp shredded can that will cut you if you're not careful in removing it.

Answer 2

Water is special firstly because it's heavily involved in the processes of converting energy, from the forms of light energy-chemical energy as found in photo-trophic organisms, and also through the anaerobic and aerobic processes in other organisms.. It is also special because it is one of the few liquids, that when solidified, actually becomes less dense, this is why ice floats in water..

Answer 3

The hydrogen bonding causes the hydrogens bonded to be attracted to lone pairs of other atoms/molecules. This makes it a good dissolver of ionic compounds and from that it can conduct electricity.

It is probably the most polar of common liquids too.

Answer 4

One highly anomalous property of water is that it's density decreases as it changes from a liquid to a solid, typically increasing in volume by approximately 9 % (hence ice floats).

Answer 5

Why is water considered a unique molecule?

Answer 6

Water is the only naturally occurring substance that occurs in all three physical states in nature.