Water

• Key properties of water:

  • universal solvent
  • metabolite
  • cohesion
  • high specific heat capacity
  • high latent heat of vaporisation
  • high surface tension
  • high density
  • transparency
• High density:

  • Provides support and buoyancy
  • maximum density at 4°C
  • ice is less dense than liquid - open lattice structure

  floats + insulated aquatic life