Forms+of+Water

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Forms
Everything on Earth exists in one of the three states of matter: solids, liquids, or gases. Water can exist in all three states of matter. It can be found as a solid, liquid or a gas.



Water in Solid Form
A solid has a shape of its own and usually keeps its shape. It has a fixed volume and shape. Since water molecules in the solid form are packed close together it prevents ice from changing shape.

When enough heat is taken away from a liquid, the liquid becomes a solid. Water will change from a liquid to a solid when temperatures drop to 0 degrees Celcius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit because the water turns into solid ice. Examples of water in the solid form are ice, snow, frost, ice cubes, icicles, and ice on a skating rink.



Water in Liquid Form
A liquid does not have a shape of its own because it flows to fit the shape of the container it is poured into. Water molecules in the liquid form do not cling together as tightly as in a solid so individual molecules of water can begin to move around each other.

When heat is added to a solid, the solid becomes a liquid. Heat would make ice melt and the greater the heat, the faster the ice will melt. Examples of water in the liquid form are water coming out of a faucet, rainfall, and a river. Pure liquid water is free of salt, rock, and garbage.



Water in Gas Form
A gas has no shape of its own and most gases cannot be seen. Gases are usually colorless and odorless. You cannot see gas, but sometimes you can smell it. Water vapor is water in the form of a gas. Water vapor and other gases make up the air in our atmosphere. Water molecules in a gas form move very quickly and are not bound together.

When enough heat is added to a liquid, the liquid becomes a gas. When water heats up it becomes a water vapor, which is a gas in the air. This happens when water evaporates and turns into a gas. Changes in temperature can increase the rate or how long it takes water to evaporate.