Print this page The Unique and Unusual Properties of Water
Charles D. Riley, Jr., P.E.
Course Outline
Water is one of the most common and ordinary substances that we encounter on a day to day basis, yet most people do not truly understand the significance that water plays in shaping our environment and in sustaining life. This course provides an introduction to some of the unique and unusual properties of water - the exceptionally high freezing and boiling points, high heat capacity, high latent heats of evaporation and fusion, and high surface tension. Brief discussions of general chemical bonding and the structure of the water molecule are included to explain the causes of these unusual properties. The course also includes discussion on the practical applications and the significance of the unique and unusual properties of water.
This course includes a multiple choice quiz at the end.
Learning Objective
The
objectives of this course are to provide engineers with an introduction to some
of the unique and unusual properties of water. The course examines the causes
of these unique and unusual properties and explores some of the practical applications
and natural consequences. The course is designed to provide two (2) professional
development hours (PDH) of continuing education.
To the average person, water is a common and ordinary substance which is
often taken for granted, that is until a drought threatens crops and drinking water
supplies or a severe flood destroys life and property. Most people do not
understand that without water and its unique and unusual properties, life as we
know it on earth would not exist.
One of the earliest Greek philosophers, Thales of Miletus (640-546 B.C.),
observed the universal nature of water. Thales believed that water was the basic
element from which everything began – “the seeds of everything have a moist
nature”. The abundance of water was apparent, but it was also observed that
water was the only substance naturally present on earth simultaneously in three
distinct states or forms– solid, liquid, and gas. On a cold winter day, snow and ice
cover a field, while water flows in a nearby stream and gaseous clouds float
overhead.
The course content is in a PDF file (48 KB) Unusual Properties.pdf. You need to open or download this document to study this course.
The table of content of this course is as follows:
The Unique and Unusual Properties of Water
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Forms of Matter
Boiling and Freezing Points
Solid Phase
Heat Capacity
Latent Heats of Fusion and Evaporation
Universal Solvent
Surface Tension
Medium of Life
Chemical Bonding
Conclusion
References
Course Summary
To the average person, water is an ordinary substance often taken for granted.
Even though the cause of these unique and unusual properties is explainable at
the atomic level, water is truly a remarkable substance. From our examination of
these properties, it is evident that water is essential for life, as we know it, to exist
on earth. Water is the mediator of chemical and biochemical processes. Water
shapes our natural environment and even mediates our climate and weather.
Once you finish studying the above course content you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDHonline.com or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered professional engineer. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
