What are unique molecular properties of water?
Water is an interesting molecule: At standard temperature and pressure, it is in equilibrium between a vapor and a liquid. It is the only molecule commonly found as a gas, liquid, and solid. It is commonly referred to as the “universal solvent” Water has a density of 1.00 g/cm3, and in it’s frozen state, ice is actually less dense than water. Water is a polar molecule because of the partial negative charge on the oxygen atom. This causes hydrogen bonds between other water molecules, so water can stick to itself. This is the reason for surface tension and adhesion of water molecules to a surface, such as a drinking glass. Water can move itself up a tube, for example up a plants stem or root. Water is mostly neutral with a pH of ~7. Water is transparent allowing light to reach into the depths of the ocean.
