Activity Books Understanding Water Activity Book | Page 14

Water is the most common compound on earth.
A compound is made up of elements. Everything is made
of atoms. Elements are different arrangements of atoms.
An atom is the smallest particle of an element. Water is
made up of three atoms: two atoms
of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
It is two hydrogen atoms and one
oxygen atom. It is written H2O.
PROPERTIES OF WATER
Water can make things wet. It can dissolve things. Water
can “carry” things and flow through things.
Water acts differently with different materials. Water beads
up on wax paper because of surface tension. Surface tension
allows water to form a skinlike surface. Other materials allow
water to flow through them or be absorbed. Paper towels and
sponges absorb water. Sand and gravel are two earth materials
through which water can flow.
Water can change almost any material. Everything from
dissolved salts to huge boulders can be moved by water.
Water’s ability to dissolve substances has an effect
on water quality. Water carries dissolved solids. The
characteristics of water make it a great “cleaner”. Since many
things dissolve in water, water can be used by itself or be
combined with other products to clean surfaces and items.
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