Water (Science/Chemistry Discussion)

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by Seth, Feb 16, 2015.

  1. Following the science related threads, I think it's time we changed it up from space. (Great threads and responses though! Very entertaining and informative.)



    Water is ridiculous. It's the only liquid compound that expands when frozen. Nothing else does that!

    That isn't normal, and breaks the basic understanding of chemistry.

    There are 4 states of matter:
    • Solid
      - Low kinetic energy.
    • Liquid
      - Medium kinetic energy.
    • Gas
      - High kinetic energy.
    • Plasma
      - Very high kinetic energy.


    What is kinetic energy?

    Kinetic energy is energy that a body possesses by virtue of being in motion. So, if an object has high kinetic energy (gas, for example), it's particles move much faster than something with slower kinetic energy (solid).




    Solid



    Solid elements or compounds consist of very low amounts of kinetic energy, which make them appear solid. Their particles don't move much.

    Liquid



    A liquid is an element or compound with a medium amount of kinetic energy. It's particles move particularly faster than a solid, which make it appear like a fluid.

    Gas



    A gas is an element or compound with high kinetic energy. It's particles move significantly faster than liquid, so it usually appears like a thin, and light substance (tends to float).

    Plasma



    Plasma is a state of matter where an element or compounds kinetic energy is so high, that it's particles (atoms) actually start to break.



    When an element or compound changes from a liquid to a solid, it's density changes. The density of said element(s) increases, so the object shrinks in volume, but not mass.

    Water is the exception to this. It actually decreases in density when frozen. And it's the only liquid compound to do this! Why?

    Well the answer is... Well, we don't know. Water is crazy complicated.

    I used to think of water as boring and basic. Nothing more than water.

    Now, after learning about it, it's insane. Water is so different from everything else.



    Water is made up of 2 hydrogen atoms, and 1 oxygen atom. Now, compounds tend to try and be like noble gasses (elements where all available electron orbitals are filled (that's another discussion)). The number of electron in regular oxygen is 8, and hydrogen is 1, so 8 1 1 = 10.

    Water is both an ionic and covalent compound. Ionic compounds swap/borrow electrons, and covalent compounds share electrons.

    I think H2O (not proper notation, but I can't to subscript) is an attempt and oxygen trying to be Neon, by taking electrons from hydrogen. But hydrogen (I think) is simply forced into the compound relationship because oxygen has more mass (8 protons compared to 1 proton), and more mass means for "gravity" (Atoms don't have gravity, it's called electro negativity (I think)).

    Now, I don't know why hydrogen would be forced into this and no other compound has the same relationship in the history of atomic chemistry, but I also don't know why I only fart around mods! So touché.

    When water is frozen, it can have numerous distinguishable patterns (not talking about snow flakes). Water has many distinguishable patterns when turned into a solid. It's a lot to remember. You might be surprised to know that some colleges offer degrees alone by just studying water.

    Now, they're plenty more to talk about, but that would just be unnecessary rambling. What's your thoughts?
     
  2. um. that isn't how it works. oxygen isn't "trying to be neon". that section is pretty much all nonsense.



    holy ****. a lot of wrong. i need to smoke before tackling this one. brb.
     
  3. Covalent bonds are shared, ionic bonds are swapping.
     
  4. You don't understand how electron configuration works then.

    Elements want to be noble gasses (column 18 of periodic table). They tend (when compounds are created) to match the number of electrons of noble gasses, to act like that have filled orbitals. Full orbitals are like full stomachs.
     
  5. Thanks for correcting me :) editing OP.
     
  6. electrons aren't what make an element. protons are. :|
     
  7. There are so many interesting chemistry-related topics... But you choose to talk about water?
     
  8. Both, actually. And neutrons. Do some research.

    But what I'm talking about deals only with electrons. A lot of it include valence electrons actually.
     
  9. Because, it's not normal. Chemists and been working for 45+ years to try and understand it.
     
  10. Grade nine science at its best
     
  11. Also, if you aren't interested or don't had anything positive, or constructive to say, please by all means save your thumbs the stress of tapping on your keyboard. (If you're stupid, don't reply)
     
  12. If you have any questions about Chemistry, ask Onesy. 
     
  13. no. protons define the element. an atom can have more or less neutrons. "do some research"? :roll:

    don't ever assume you are smarter than me. because you aren't.
     
  14. Dude, protons, electrons, neutrons, atomic mass, mass number, charge, ionic radius, electro negativity, number of valence electrons, average atomic mass, and MANY other things define an element.

    With this subject of noble gasses, it focuses on electrons. Bonds are about sharing electrons.

    Did you take a chem class?
     
  15. The nucleus makes up 99.99999999% of the mass of an atom. The electrons makes up the other 0.000000001%, and float in orbitals (called the s, p, d, and f orbitals). Neutrons = mass number - protons. Charge is determined by the number of electrons added or taken away from an element.
     
  16. electrons don't define an element. neutrons do not define an element. mass does not define an element.

    an atom of gold can have more or less neutrons. more or less electrons. more or less mass.

    but if it has more or less than 79 protons, it isn't gold.



    oh and other things do expand when transitioning from a liquid to a solid.
     
  17. An atom of gold is a coinage element, which is an exception to the d block of the periodic table (transition metals). It's s orbital isn't entirely filled, and has electrons in d block. Same with silver and copper.
     
  18. But if it has a different atomic mass, it doesn't become just gold. Let's say it becomes gold-149. Add a negative charge of two to it (add electrons), and it becomes gold-149^2-. Now the number of neutrons in gold becomes 70. The number of electrons becomes 81.
     

  19. oxygen is trying to fill it shell. it isn't trying to be neon.

    gravity has nothing to do with any of this. its a chemical bond.

    hydrogen is just trying to fill it's shell. it needs 2, but only has 1.
     
  20. Don't even get me started with electron configuration, or what the radiation of gold-149^2- would be, because it's ridiculously unstable.