Overview

Water is a colorless, odorless, tasteless liquid that also occurs commonly in the solid state (as ice) and in the gaseous state (as steam or water vapor). It is a very stable compound that undergoes a number of important reactions. It reacts with some metals to form elemental hydrogen and an inorganic base. With some metals, such as sodium and potassium, the reaction is quite violent. With other metals, such as iron, the reaction occurs only very slowly. Water is also a weak electrolyte, ionizing to form hydrogen ions (H⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻). The hydrogen ions occur in solution as hydronium ions (H₃O⁺).

Key Facts

Other Names:

Hydrogen oxide; dihydrogen oxide

Formula:

H₂O or HOH

Elements:

Hydrogen, oxygen

Compound Type:

Inorganic

State:

Liquid

Molecular Weight:

18.02 g/mol

Melting Point:

0°C (32°F)

Boiling Point:

100°C (212°F)

Solubility:

Soluble in ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, and acetone...