| Research Report
Introduction
Water is a very abundant resource that is important in nature.
Although water is extremely important for nature, it can be harmful and
dangerous. Drinking water that is acidic can cause serious damage to everyone
and everything. It can be harmful from people and animals to pipes the
water runs through. Water that is a base can be corrosive to metals as
well as to a person's skin and tissues.
Water
Water is one of the most water plentiful resources on earth.
It is one of the world's most important liquids. 3/4 of the earth's surface
is covered by water. However, water is also present in the air as vapor,
which condensed into clouds, may cause precipitation. Scientist believe that water follows a cycle. Water evaporates
and then forms into clouds, which may cause rain. When it rains surface
water remains on the land. The molecules of water contain two atoms of
hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen. The oxygen atom provides 89% of weight.
Water exists in a liquid state a gaseous state, or a solid state. Water
molecules changed between the three states depending on heat. Ice holds
shape by an electrical attraction between molecules, which become fixed
and bind. Water in liquid form has enough heat to move molecules rapidly.
However, liquid water has no arrangement so it takes the shape of its container.
Water vapor or steam has molecules moving swiftly due to further increased
heat. Temperature and pressure determines changes in physical state of
water. Water's density is defined as 1.0. If an object is denser than water
it sinks and the less dense the object will float. One cubic foot of water
is equal to 62.4 pounds. On the other hand, seawater is heavier than fresh
water because it has 35 pounds of salt in each of 1000 pounds of water.
The pressure water exerts increases, as it gets deeper.
There are three isotopes of oxygen in water. These isotopes can
be formed into nine different ways to make the water molecules different
in weight. One of the oxygen isotopes is formatted with water because the
isotope makes 99% of the worlds oxygen. Isotopes move important hydrogen,
which are also called isotopes portion. There are single weight hydrogen,
deuterium double weight hydrogen, and tritium triple weight hydrogen. The
protium with oxygen forms light water and the deuterium with oxygen forms
heavy water. Tritium with oxygen produces super heavy water. Ordinary water
consist light water, but mostly with H2O in it. The formula for heavy water
is D2O, which is heavier than H2O by 10%, but found in 5000 parts of ordinary
water. To separate heavy water from light water a system called electrolysis
is used or by an evaporation. D2O reacts more slowly to electrolysis than
H2O. The heavy water appears after the light water disappears. In addition, scientist use heavy water in order to slow nuclear
reactions. Super heavy water called tritium oxide has a formula of T2O.
Not a lot is known about this type of water, but it is difficult to find.
Therefore, it is used to observe radioactive ness on the effect of water
upon various organic compounds. This is also used to detect or follow with
the help of a special instrument. Pure water is never found where water
is excellent for many minerals. This also picks where water flows. Chemists, on the other hand, use distill water to obtain pure
water for delicate substances. The water itself forms many water substances.
When the term prefix hydra is used, it means that it is in the chemical
terms hydrate. When hydroxide is present, it shows that the water contained
a substance. The molecules in the water that are removed from the substance
is called Anhydrous or dehydrated meaning no water. Water is an extremely difficult substance to control. However,
the only force that controls water is called gravity. This force allows
for water to remain in rivers, basins, oceans, etc. Water does not stagnate
to the ocean from land surfaces in a lifeless desert. Moreover, water
continually evaporates from oceans and other bodies of water by the sun
or heat. Water is also blown by the winds across the sea or land. It turns
into vapor and is suspended into the atmosphere. The water vapors form
clouds in the atmosphere based on the weather conditions. However, when
water is accumulated at great amounts in the clouds, it returns to the
land in the form of rain or snow. The process of moving water from the
ocean to the earth is called 'The Water Cycle.' With the force of gravity
the sun, air, and water work together to keep the water cycle moving. Some
of the major steps in the water cycle are the evaporation caused by the
sun's heat, the transpiration of the water, the condensation of cold air,
and the precipitation of water by gravity to oceans. The water also forms
rivers, moist soil for plants, which then evaporates into the air. Most of the water returned to the earth is often from the ocean.
When it rains, plants soil allows the water to trickle down to the roots.
When there is a heavy rainfall the plants soil soaks up to much water so
the top surface is covered in water. This is called surface water. From
the surface, the water runs off and flows wherever it may be contained.
Water then flows through a clear-cut of channels moving downward to the
ocean. Ground water exists at varying levels at depth when water that in
filters the soil trickles down or percolates through pores. The cracks
in the soil holding water called aquifers become saturated with the water
and then can't hold any more water. Though groundwater is a major source
of fresh water, scientists estimate that may be enough water. Groundwater evaporates into plants and then the plants store
the water in their leaves and roots from which the evaporated groundwater
comes through. This is a process called transpiration. A fully oak tree
transpires 100 gallons of water, while an acre of corn transpires 3000-4000
gallons of water. The top most level of groundwater is called the water
table. This may be close to the earth's surface or beneath the soils hundreds
of feet below. This is deep cut into the earth's exposure water table.
Then the water runs off into streams or rivers. The water table rises and
falls by the climate conditions or by the amount of precipitation used
by vegetation. Damage may occur though to the water table if it gets over
filled. This is a threat to plants. When the soil for plants is very dry
then the groundwater seeps up to the surface and then evaporates, but it's
not replaced. If the water table goes lower and lower then a drought may
occur. If the area the water table is in which would be a well water area
it can affect the area. The water table may only rise during a heavy rainfall.
Moreover, every living creature on the planet needs water for
his or her survival. In the bodies of most living things there is about
sixty percent of water. However, a million years ago the first forms of
life were in the sea. Through evolution, the creatures evolved to land,
but still required water in order to survive. Water is a life sustaining
liquid that nourishes the living tissues in animals blood or plant sap.
There is exactly two and a half quarts of water in the human tissue. Without
water, creatures would not be able to survive on this earth. Furthermore, water is important for the development of varying
countries. Water circulates throughout the world. However, many areas lack
large amounts of water. Therefore, the best place for man to settle is
where water is located. In the city, the water comes from faucets through
a source of a river or large body of water. If water stopped flowing throughout
a city, people would have to find a new settlement where water would be
available. The climate also affects the surroundings of places, which rely
on water to survive. For example, crops of man depend on water to survive.
In the United States about 100 billion gallons of water are used by farmers
to water their crops. Water is important for the development of man and
its cities. However, water can be extremely dangerous for everyone and
everything. For example water can turn into floods, sleet, hail, snow,
or a heavy rainstorm that cause millions of dollars of destruction. Water is essential in the daily usage of every living creature.
Water stores great amounts of heat, which help living things, survive during
wide changes in temperature. People drink up to one quart of water everyday.
Food supplies the rest of the water content that our bodies need. The preparation
of foods mostly involves water. So to prevent food spoilage, the water
is taken out or dried out. City and country people need to need to have
fifty gallons of water per day for personal or household uses. Some of
those uses are for drinking, washing, preparing meals, and removing waste.
An amazing fact is that most bathtubs use about twenty-five gallons of
water per bath. Sprinklers, heating systems, shops, homes, or buildings
also consume about twenty-five gallons of water. In the United States about
110 billion gallons of water is consumed to immediate reuse. This includes
industries, irrigation, fire fighting, and street cleaning. Water is very
important to industries that use plants because they produce electricity,
heat, and power for factories and communities. Companies need water in
order to produce their products. Although water can be dangerous to nature, it is essential for
the survival of every living creature on earth. Without water, no living
thing could survive. It is important in order for the world to function
properly, even though it can be dangerous. Water is abundant and everyone
needs to realize that this resource is excellent for survival.
Acids
An acid has a sour taste. It reacts with metals and contains
hydrogen. Most acids forms are nonmetals; a substance that produces hydronium
ions in a water solution. The formula for this is H3O+. Many acids are
poisonous and corrosive to the skin. Acids must be handled with extreme
care. Some examples of acids are vinegar which is an arctic acid, and buttermilk
which is lattice acid. Some examples of citric acid are found in lemons,
oranges, and grapefruit. Hydrochloric acid is what aids stomach digestion.
Carbonic acid keeps our blood at the right acidity level. The three major
acids that are used in laboratories and in industries are nitric acid,
H2SO4, hydrochloric acid, HNO3, and sulfuric acid, HCl. These three acids
are greater than any other chemical in the United States.
Furthermore, acids are used for paints, plastics, and fertilizers.
Some acids are used to make other acids and other dehydrating agents. Acids
also remove water in objects. Sulfuric acid burns skin and may cause damage
to clothing. This certain acid is produced in laboratories. Concentrated
sulfuric acid reacts with many different things in many different ways.
One of those things is copper. Just sulfuric acid with copper does not
react with each other. Nitric acid is oily and not thick like sulfuric
acid. If nitric acid touches the skin then a stain result occurs. This
acid is produce in laboratories by heating sodium nitrate with concentrated
sulfuric acid. Acids can cause harm to lungs and can destroy skin. Acids
also clean bricks and metals, meaning that they can be considered cleaning
agents or can be called muriatic acids. These acids are used in large quantities
for steel and industries for pickling. In a process it removes oxides and
other impurities from steel surfaces. In conclusion, acids are harmful to the skin, but can be excellent
in cleaning agents. However, certain acids can be dangerous to the lungs
and therefore should not be used on a regular bases. Acids should not be
consumed and should be kept out of the reach of young children. Proper
maintenance of all acids is required when used.
Bases
The properties of bases are mostly alike as acids. They taste
bitter and feel slippery. Though they are not safe to identify using taste
and touch they are poisonous and corrosive to skin if they are strong.
Bases also break down fats. This is a substance which produces hydroxide
ions in the water solution. Strong bases are called sodium hydroxide, NaOH.
A strong base is a corrosive chemical. This breaks down oil and grease
used as a drain cleaner or in soap making. These are prepared by electrolysis
of saltwater brine. A lab prepares this by reacting calcium hydroxide with
sodium carbonate in a water solution. Another important base is ammonia,
NH3. It is a gas at room temperature and when used in a household the ammonia
becomes into a solution of ammonium hydroxide, NH4OH. This is made by dissolving
ammonia in water which is found in cleansers and in window cleaners. These
are useful inpreperations of fertilizers. Only these, in a lab, are prepared
by heating mixture of ammonium chloride and calcium hydroxide. Most organic
bases are related to ammonia by their structure and properties. One class
of organic acids is called amines, which are compounds that contain hydrocarbon
chains with nitrogen and hydrogen. Amines use solvents and reacts in preparation
of dyes. Such as medicines and fibers.
Ions in Acids and Bases
Pure water contains both ions and molecules. About one in every 500,000,000
water molecules break up and form ions. Ions are formed by hydronium, H3O+.
There are an equal number of ions in pure water. Though the ratio changes
when an acid base is added. The acid increases the amount of hydronium
ions. Hydronium ions produce hydrogen in acid which combines with the water
molecules. The addition base increases the amount of hydroxide ions in
water. Hydroxide ions in water dissolve the sodium hydroxide. Compounds
contain OH are bases, but not all of them. Alcohol contains an OH group.
Alcohols don't break down from hydroxide ions. Though they're not classified
as a base. Zinc hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide may act as an acid or
a base. An acid base is classified as a strong or weak base. A strong acid
base breaks the ions in water then sodium hydroxide forms, Na+, hydroxide
ions in the water. A weak acid base does not completely break up the added
water, though the weak acid base particles in the water are molecular form
than the ions. A carbonic acid is weak in both molecules and ions in the
water. The number of H3O+ or hydroxide ions has a solution of equal concentration
relative strengths of an acid and base.
pH
pH is a term that indicates hydrogen ion. It is the concentration of
solutions or the solution of acidity. The H is actually H+ which represents
hydrogen ion. This may also be called as hydrogen power. H+ ions concentration
is defined as negative logarithm. The formula concentration of H+ ions
is in moles per liter. Though when H+ ions associate with water molecules
they form hydronium ions, H3O+. pH is often expressed in terms of concentration
of hydronium ions. Hydroxyl ions, OH-, exist in equal quantities in pure
water at twenty-two degrees Celsius. The concentration of each is 1 X 10
-7 moles/liter. This creates a neutral solution. The pH in pure water is
7. If acid is added excess of H3O+ ions is formed. If the concentration
exceeds the H3O+ to OH- the solution becomes an acidic. In an acidic solution
the concentration of hydronium ions range from 1 to 1 X 10 -7 moles/liter.
This depends on the strength and amount of pH. The pH ranging goes up to
0 to 14. If a ranging is 0-7 that means that's an acid solution. Any lower
numbers is a stronger acid. If the concentration of OH- exceeds H3O+ the
solution then is basic. A basic solution has hydroxyl ions that range 1
to 1X10 -7 moles/liter. The concentration of hydronium ions ranges 1 X10
-14 to 1X10 -7 moles/liter. The pH range from 14 down to 7, but not including
7 is basic. The higher the pH reading the base is stronger. A pH solution
is measured by titration that consist neutralization of an acid or a base
measured as an acid or a base known as a concentration. Or it can be called
a presence indicator. The pH solution can be determined by measuring electric
potential rising specie electrodes immersed in a solution. The pH guide
shows a pH1 is a strong acid, pH3 is an acid, pH7 is neutral, pH10 is a
base, and pH 12 is a strong base. If a pH level is lower than 7 it is an
acid, if at a level at 7 it's neutral, and if the pH level is above 7 then
it's a base or an other name is alkali. The pH scale is a table of 0-14.
An indicator of pH is litmus paper which changes colors to determine the
amount of pH. The pH logarithmic function is a ten fold in pH. In the United
States of America the natural pH water system ranges from6.8-8.5.
Summary
Water is essential in our everyday lives in order to function
properly. In water, acids and bases can be found. Strong acids or bases
can be dangerous to the human body. Furthermore, pH is a term that helps
scientist and researches determine whether water is harmful or not and
whether it contains bases or acids that can be harmful to the skin and
body. Water is a bountiful resource. It is essential in the survival of
every living thing on the earth. YES for water!
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