Page 56 - Water and the Aquarium

GARGAS: Water and the Aquarium Page 56
Page 56
GARGAS: Water and the Aquarium
GARGAS: Water and the Aquarium Page 56

What is WATER?
What is WATER?

For those of you who know me, and for those of you who just started following
For those of you who know me, and for those of you who just started following
my articles, I am into WATER – Chemistry and Treatment. Well . . .
my articles, I am into WATER – Chemistry and Treatment. Well . . .
WHAT IS WATER?
WHAT IS WATER?
The physicist sees a clear liquid that turns to ice at 0 Centigrade
The physicist sees a clear liquid that turns to ice at 0 Centigrade
(32 degrees Fahrenheit) and boils at 100 Centigrade (212 degrees Fahrenheit)
(32 degrees Fahrenheit) and boils at 100 Centigrade (212 degrees Fahrenheit)
Water has the highest density at 4 degrees Centigrade (39.3 Fahrenheit), so that
Water has the highest density at 4 degrees Centigrade (39.3 Fahrenheit), so that
water of other temperatures can float on it. This is the reason that ice
water of other temperatures can float on it. This is the reason that ice
floats and the coldest water remains on the bottom. This fact has great
floats and the coldest water remains on the bottom. This fact has great
biological significance. In winter cold, water still remains on the bottom for liv-
biological significance. In winter cold, water still remains on the bottom for liv-
ing space. Because of this the ice layer on the surface forms an insulating layer
ing space. Because of this the ice layer on the surface forms an insulating layer
that protects it from further freezing. If this did not occur the sea would slowly
that protects it from further freezing. If this did not occur the sea would slowly
freeze into a solid block of ice from the bottom up, forcing living things out of
freeze into a solid block of ice from the bottom up, forcing living things out of
the water or even killing them.
the water or even killing them.
The chemist sees an odorless and tasteless liquid, which is neither
The chemist sees an odorless and tasteless liquid, which is neither
acidic or basic, despite the fact that is has both the acidic hydrogen ions H and
+
acidic or basic, despite the fact that is has both the acidic hydrogen ions H and
+
the basic OH ions.
-
the basic OH ions.
-
Water can arise from the action of two gasses if two volumes of
Water can arise from the action of two gasses if two volumes of
hydrogen and oxygen are subjected to combustion, water, H 0 is produced. The
hydrogen and oxygen are subjected to combustion, water, H
20 is produced. The
2
chemist further notes that water is capable of dissolving and retaining many
chemist further notes that water is capable of dissolving and retaining many
substances in solution as it is the absolute solute. This is an important biological
substances in solution as it is the absolute solute. This is an important biological
characteristic as water is the environment of many plants and animals so it must
characteristic as water is the environment of many plants and animals so it must
also be the solvent for all the nutrients and excrement.
also be the solvent for all the nutrients and excrement.
Biologically pure water is looked at as a complete dead environment
Biologically pure water is looked at as a complete dead environment
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