What is water?
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Water is one of the most essential substances on Earth. It covers about 71% of our planet’s surface and exists in oceans, rivers, lakes, and even underground. Despite being so abundant, only a small fraction – around 2.5% – is freshwater, which we rely on for drinking, cooking, farming, and sanitation. Most of this freshwater is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps, leaving less than 1% accessible for human use.
Water is a unique compound made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H2O). It exists in three states – solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapour) – and can easily change between these states through melting, freezing, condensation, and evaporation. This ability to shift forms makes water a key player in the Earth’s weather systems and natural cycles.
Why water is essential to life
Without water, life as we know it would not exist. All living organisms – from tiny bacteria to large mammals – need water to survive. Water is a crucial part of the human body, ...
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