Physical Characteristics of Water

Water has many important physical characteristics. Use the Internet, dictionaries, chemistry books, etc...to answer the following questions.

1) In what phases can water be found on the earth? Is there any other substance that can be found in as many phases?

2) What happens to the density of most liquids when they are converted to solids? Is this true of water? What general change in the structure of water accounts for the change in density when it freezes?

3) What are the forces involved in capillary action? Define each of these forces. Why is capillary action important in nature?

4) Why does water form beads on a table? In other words, why doesn't it form flat sheets?

5) What is specific heat? What is the specific heat of water? Is this high or low compared to other substances?

6) Now that you have the answer to number 5, explain the why the air temperature swings are much greater in deserts than they are in oceanic islands?

7) Define pH.