The Chemical formula of water is H2O.
Characteristics of water
Characteristic |
Description |
Chemical formula |
H2O |
Molecular weight |
18.015 g/mol |
Boiling point |
100°C (212°F) |
Freezing point |
0°C (32°F) |
Density |
1 g/cm³ |
pH |
Neutral (7) |
Solubility |
Dissolves many substances, including salts, sugars, and gases |
Heat capacity |
High heat capacity, which means it can absorb and store a large amount of heat energy |
Surface tension |
High surface tension, which causes it to form droplets and stick to surfaces |
Polarity |
Polar molecule, with a slightly positive end (hydrogen) and a slightly negative end (oxygen) |
Universal solvent |
Dissolves many substances, earning it the nickname “universal solvent” |
Hydrogen bonding |
Capable of forming hydrogen bonds, which are responsible for many of its unique properties, including its high boiling and melting points, surface tension, and solvent capabilities. |
Reaction of water with Alkali metal
Alkali metal |
Reaction with water |
Balanced chemical equation |
Lithium (Li) |
Reacts slowly with cold water, producing hydrogen gas and lithium hydroxide |
2Li + 2H2O → 2LiOH + H2 |
Sodium (Na) |
Reacts vigorously with cold water, producing hydrogen gas and sodium hydroxide |
2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2 |
Potassium (K) |
Reacts very vigorously with cold water, producing hydrogen gas and potassium hydroxide |
2K + 2H2O → 2KOH + H2 |
Rubidium (Rb) |
Reacts very vigorously with cold water, producing hydrogen gas and rubidium hydroxide |
2Rb + 2H2O → 2RbOH + H2 |
Caesium (Cs) |
Reacts explosively with cold water, producing hydrogen gas and caesium hydroxide |
2Cs + 2H2O → 2CsOH + H2 |
Francium (Fr) |
Highly radioactive and scarce, has not been observed reacting with water |
– |
Reaction of water with Alkaline earth metal
Alkaline earth metal |
Reaction with water |
Balanced chemical equation |
Beryllium (Be) |
Does not react with water, even at high temperatures |
– |
Magnesium (Mg) |
Reacts slowly with hot water or steam, producing magnesium oxide and hydrogen gas |
Mg + 2H2O → Mg(OH)2 + H2 |
Calcium (Ca) |
Reacts vigorously with cold water, producing calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas |
Ca + 2H2O → Ca(OH)2 + H2 |
Strontium (Sr) |
Reacts vigorously with cold water, producing strontium hydroxide and hydrogen gas |
Sr + 2H2O → Sr(OH)2 + H2 |
Barium (Ba) |
Reacts vigorously with cold water, producing barium hydroxide and hydrogen gas |
Ba + 2H2O → Ba(OH)2 + H2 |
Radium (Ra) |
Highly radioactive and scarce, has not been observed reacting with water |
– |
Reaction of water with Transition metal
Transition metal |
Reaction with water |
Balanced chemical equation |
Iron (Fe) |
Reacts with steam to form iron(III) oxide and hydrogen gas |
3Fe + 4H2O → Fe3O4 + 4H2 |
Cobalt (Co) |
Reacts with steam to form cobalt(II,III) oxide and hydrogen gas |
2Co + 3H2O → Co3O4 + 3H2 |
Nickel (Ni) |
Reacts with steam to form nickel(II) oxide and hydrogen gas |
Ni + 2H2O → NiO + H2 |
Copper (Cu) |
Does not react with water or steam |
– |
Zinc (Zn) |
Does not react with water, but can react with steam to form zinc oxide and hydrogen gas |
Zn + H2O (steam) → ZnO + H2 |
Reaction of water with Post-transition metal
Post-transition metal |
Reaction with water |
Balanced chemical equation |
Aluminum (Al) |
Reacts with steam to form aluminum oxide and hydrogen gas |
2Al + 3H2O → Al2O3 + 3H2 |
Tin (Sn) |
Reacts with steam to form tin(IV) oxide and hydrogen gas |
Sn + 2H2O → SnO2 + 2H2 |
Lead (Pb) |
Does not react with water or steam |
– |
Bismuth (Bi) |
Does not react with water or steam |
– |
Antimony (Sb) |
Does not react with water or steam |
– |
Reaction of water with Non-metal
Non-metal |
Reaction with water |
Balanced chemical equation |
Hydrogen (H2) |
Does not react with water under normal conditions, but can react explosively with oxygen in the presence of a spark or flame to form water |
2H2 + O2 → 2H2O |
Carbon (C) |
Does not react with water |
– |
Nitrogen (N2) |
Does not react with water |
– |
Oxygen (O2) |
Does not react with water, but can react with hydrogen in the presence of a spark or flame to form water |
2H2 + O2 → 2H2O |
Fluorine (F2) |
Reacts with water to form hydrofluoric acid and oxygen gas |
2F2 + 2H2O → 4HF + O2 |
Chlorine (Cl2) |
Reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid and hypochlorous acid |
Cl2 + H2O → HCl + HClO |
Bromine (Br2) |
Reacts with water to form hydrobromic acid and hypobromous acid |
Br2 + H2O → HBr + HBrO |
Iodine (I2) |
Reacts with water to form hydroiodic acid and hypoiodous acid |
I2 + H2O → HI + HIO |
Reaction of water with Metalloid
Metalloid |
Reaction with water |
Balanced chemical equation |
Boron (B) |
Does not react with water |
– |
Silicon (Si) |
Does not react with water |
– |
Germanium (Ge) |
Does not react with water |
– |
Arsenic (As) |
Does not react with water |
– |
Antimony (Sb) |
Does not react with water or steam |
– |
Tellurium (Te) |
Reacts with hot water to form telluric acid and hydrogen gas |
Te + 4H2O → H6TeO6 + 2H2 |
Reaction of water with Actinide
Actinide |
Reaction with water |
Balanced chemical equation |
Uranium (U) |
Reacts with cold water to form uranium oxide and hydrogen gas |
U + 2H2O → UO2 + 2H2 |
Plutonium (Pu) |
Reacts with water to form plutonium hydride and hydrogen gas |
Pu + 2H2O → PuH3 + 2H2 |
Americium (Am) |
Reacts with water to form americium hydroxide and hydrogen gas |
Am + 3H2O → Am(OH)3 + 3H2 |
More formula
- Chemical formula of sugar
- Chemical formula of salt
- Chemical formula of baking soda
- Chemical formula of water
- Chemical formula of glucose
- Chemical formula of vinegar
- Chemical formula of ammonia
- Chemical formula of ethanol
- Chemical formula of rust
- Chemical formula of methane
- Chemical formula of washing soda
- Chemical formula of gypsum
- Chemical formula of calcium carbonate
- Chemical formula of sodium chloride
- Chemical formula of hydrogen peroxid
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