Water: A Very Short IntroductionWater dominates the surface of Earth and is vital to life on our planet. It is a remarkable liquid which shows anomalous behaviour. In this Very Short Introduction John Finney introduces the science of water, and explores how the structure of water molecules gives rise to its physical and chemical properties. Considering water in all three of its states as ice and steam as well as liquid, Finney explains the great importance of an understanding of its structure and behaviour to a range of fields including chemistry, astrophysics, and earth and environmental sciences. Finney describes the role of water in biology, and ends with a discussion of of the outstanding controversies concerning water, and some of the 'magical' properties which have been claimed for it. ABOUT THE SERIES: |
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active ambient amorphous ice amorphous solid water anomalous aqueous atmospheres average behaviour Bernal biological importance biomolecule bond angle cage central molecule central water molecule Chapter chemical coenzyme compressibility cooling coordination crystalline David defects density dipole dipole moment discussed disordered distortion Earth electrical enzyme example expect Finney first-neighbour four-coordinated motif four-fold motif geometry H3O+ hydrogen bonds ice Ih ice IV Ice IX ice structures ideal tetrahedral increase intermolecular ions John kind layers liquid structure liquid water look material mechanism medium melting Michael mobility molecular negatively charged region neighbouring molecules neighbouring water neutron non-polar groups normal liquid occupy less volume oxygen perhaps phase diagram physical polar groups Polywater positions protein proton quantum mechanical relevant ring structures similar simple liquid solid solvent structure of ice structure of water substrate supercooled surface tetrahedral thermal fluctuations understand unit cell VHDA water molecules water molecules interact water structure