Water (H2O)
As an extremely stable compound of two abundant elements, water (often as water ice or water vapor) is almost ubiquitous in the Solar System. It is essential for life support and agriculture. It is valuable as a solvent or feedstock for chemical processes and also a convenient source of H2 and O2 by electrolysis. Forms a eutectic with ammonia that is believed to be responsible for much cryovolcanism.
Melting Point (at 101 kPa): 273 K
Vapor pressure of Solid at Melting Point: 611 Pa
Triple Point: 273.16 K at 612 Pa
Critical Temperature: 647.1 K
Critical Pressure: 22.06 MPa
Liquid Density at Boiling Point: 999.84 kg/m3
Reactivity Table. Only reactions exoergic at normal temperatures (<300 K) considered.
|
Rxn with: |
H2O |
O2 |
CH4 |
NH3 |
H2S |
HF |
HCl |
H2 |
N2 |
|
Possible: |
N/A |
N |
N |
some (rev) |
some dissoc |
some dissoc |
full dissoc |
N |
N |
|
Rxn with: |
C |
CO2 |
Fe |
FeS |
MgSiO3 |
SiO2 |
NaCl |
CaSO4 |
Al2O3 |
|
Possible: |
N |
rev |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
dissoc |
dissoc |
N |
Notes: N = no; Y = yes; dissoc = dissociation; rev = reversible.
Abundance in the Solar System:
|
Body: |
The Moon |
Mars |
Venus |
Asteroids |
Jup/Saturn |
|
Presence: |
Rare |
Common |
Common |
Common |
Common |
|
Body: |
Ganymede |
Europa |
Titan |
Ur/Neptune |
Triton |
|
Presence: |
Common |
Common |
Common |
Common |
Common |
Uses:
Life support- essential
Agriculture-essential
Source of H2 &
O2
by electrolysis
Feedstock for manufacture of many other hydrogen compounds
(CH4
and other organics, NH3, HCl, HF,
H2SO4)
Useful polar solvent
Likely Sources:
Occurs naturally in most environments
Likely Methods of Preparation:
[Reduction of metal oxides with hydrogen]
Last updated 9th April 2003.
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