What's the role of water?

       

  Water plays a major role in a balanced diet and the balance of our planet. And yet, you'd be surprised by the amount of people who neglect to drink proper amounts of water, ignorant of its unique properties and benefits. 

Water's structure:

 Water's importance is in part because of its structure. Water is made up of 2 atoms of hydrogen bonded with one atom of oxygen, making it a polar covalent bond. This also causes the hydrogen bonds between water molecules which contribute to the properties of water.  

Water's properties: 

One of water's major properties is its cohesion, which is high enough to make the water particles stick to each other, making up the oceans we so often see and benefit from. 

Water's high adhesion, which is its attachment to other substances, is the reason you see leftover water droplets on your window after rain.

These two properties, cohesion and adhesion, both play a role in the curve of water's meniscus. This is because water's adhesion is stronger than its cohesion, causing the water particles to favor sticking to the foreign particles rather than the other water particles. 

Water's high surface tension, also caused by its high cohesion and adhesion, is the reason you are able to float on your back above water, and it is the reason some insects are easily able to walk on water without breaking its surface.

Water's capillary action is what causes water's capablity to flow through narrow tubes.

 Capillary action is what allows plants to get nutrients from the water in the soil. 

Can you think of any other example of capillary action?

 Water has high specific heat--meaning it absorbs a lot of heat before it begins to get hot. This property plays a huge role in Earth's climate and is why marine animals can survive through very cold or very hot temperatures.

 Have you ever wondered how marine animals can live through freezing winters? 

How much water should you drink a day?

Water plays a key role in many of our body's functions, which include bringing nutrients to cells, getting rid of wastes, maintaining body temperature, and protecting joints and organs, which is why its important for us to know how much water our bodies need. Children 4-8 years old need 5 cups daily. Older children need around 7-8 cups of water daily. Teenagers need 8-11 cups, and adult females 9 cups a day , and adult males need 13 cups a day. It is vital to recognize that this depends greatly on lifestyle and activity. For example, pregnant women need 10 cups, and breastfeeding women need 11.