The Composition of Water

Water, denoted by its chemical formula H2O, consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom.
This compound is a result of covalent bonding, where hydrogen shares its single electron with oxygen’s six outer electrons, resulting in a stable electronic configuration.
Each water molecule forms a specific angle, roughly 104.5 degrees, between the two hydrogen atoms with the oxygen atom at the vertex. This gives water its bent structure.
The covalent bonds in water are polar, meaning the oxygen atom attracts the shared electrons more than the hydrogen atoms. As a result, the oxygen side of the molecule carries a slight negative charge, while the hydrogen side carries a slight positive charge.
This polarity lends water its characteristic properties such as high boiling point (compared to other simple molecules), ability to dissolve many substances (being a universal solvent), and cohesive and adhesive nature.
Additionally, water’s polar nature allows it to form hydrogen bonds, not only within its molecules but also with other polar substances. This intermolecular attraction leads to water’s relatively high melting and boiling points.
The hydrogen bonding in water also results in unusual properties. For instance, when water freezes, the molecules organise into a hexagonal structure that leaves empty space, making the ice less dense than water. Consequently, ice floats on water.
Water’s ability to absorb a vast amount of heat energy before it begins to get hot is known as its high specific heat capacity. This property helps maintain Earth’s climate.
As a solvent, water is essential in many chemical reactions, particularly inside organisms, allowing nutrients, waste, and other essential substances to be transported around an organism’s body.
The pH value of pure water is 7, indicating it is neutral. However, water can act as weak acid or base depending on the substances it interacts with.
The electrolysis of water is a significant process in chemistry, where electrical energy is used to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen gas.
Water is also a component in the photosynthesis process where plants use sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose.

Remember to relate these points to different experimental observations, diagram representations, or calculations you encounter in your chemistry practise or practical work.